Corrine Annala

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Corrine Annala[/gn_heading]

Corrine (Connie) Annala, age 86 of Billings, passed away Friday, January 16, 2009. Connie resided at Valley Health Care, but spent most of her life in Butte and Helena. Connie was born October 4, 1922 in Butte, Montana to Richard and Christine Malloy. She attended Girls Central High School and graduated president of her class.

She married George Cladis in Butte and they had three children. They were divorced in 1955. Mom worked as a dental assistant and waited tables at night to support and raise her children. She had incredible work ethics and didn't complain.

She married Andrew Annala in 1968. He was a kind man and good to mom. He preceded her in death. Connie moved to Billings in 2001 where she spent the last years of her life. Mom loved her church. St. Patrick's Cathedral made her feel so welcome from the first Mass she attended.

She looked forward to her weekly calls from her sisters. Mom loved music and had a beautiful voice. She also loved animals and was a wonderful caretaker to TJ and Max when they were pups.

When Connie had to leave her apartment, she moved to West Park Village and then to Valley Health Care. Our special thanks to the staff for being so kind during her last days. The family would also like to thank Mirian Burton, Susan Jackson, CeCe Holt, and the wonderful people at St. Patrick's Cathedral for being so supportive.

Corrine (Connie) is survived by one sister, Rose McCarville of Florida, two daughters, Rose Ann Pratt of Florida, Gigi Flaton of Missoula, and son, Nick (Linda) Cladis of Billings. Three grandchildren, Damon Pratt, Keely (Samir) Fahoum of Virginia, and Dusty (Pegi) Cladis of California.

We love you mom! We know you always did your best. Your good nature, sense of humor and smile will never be forgotten.

A late spring memorial service will be held in Butte, Montana. Memorials can be made to Catholic Social Services of Billings or a charity of choice.

Aunt Connie will be missed. I enjoyed the phone conferences with Aunt Pearl & Mom, they loved to visit. It was about the only way they could get together over the miles (from Seattle, to Tampa). I remember her visit to see Rose Ann (Orlando) because they drove to visit mom while my brothers Mike (Tampa), Pat(San Diego) and I (Arkansas) were all in Tampa at the same time. It was a GREAT visit that all enjoyed. It cannot be much farther to heaven, but it might be a while until our next reunion. Love and condolences to all of her lovely family. We will pray for all. Richard McCarville

Although it was some forty years between visits with Aunt Connie, I always remembered her as a kind, gentle and light hearted person. Her sisters loved to “gab” on the phone with her regularly. Our last visit with her when she travelled to Florida was a wonderful reminder of her loving ways. She had such a good sense of humor and was always interested in her nephews. It was much too short a visit, but such is the way of our world today. When we all meet together in heaven, we’ll rejoice with our family members once again. Pat McCarville