Anna Lee Why

A Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2250 16th Street in North Bend. A reception will follow at the church.

Anna Lee Why was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 9, 1950, to Edmund and Frances Lee. She was the youngest of five children. She graduated from Farrington High School in 1968. Anna met Harry Why while student teaching at Kailua High School. She graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1972 with a Bachelors of Secondary Education in Math. Anna was a member of the TeChihSheh Sorority. She and Harry were married the summer of 1972.

Anna taught two years in Hawaii before they moved to Portland, then Brookings, and finally to North Bend, Oregon in 1976. Anna and Harry had two daughters; Liann Gayle, who was born in 1977 and Aimee Beth, who was born in 1981.

In North Bend, they invested in rental properties, which Anna helped manage for approximately 45 years. Anna was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and Altar Society. She played the Ukulele and danced hula with the Hoapili Group.

Anna is survived by her daughter Liann Drechsel, son-in-law Timothy Drechsel, and grandchildren Sadie, Katelin, and Benjamin of Roseburg, OR; also, brother, Daniel and sister-in-law, Sandy Lee of Hilo, HI; and sister, Beatrice and brother-in-law Edwin Chu of Honolulu, HI; and brother-in-law, Tosh Mitsuda of San Francisco, CA; sister-in-law, Susie Hutchinson of North Bend, OR; sisters and brothers-in-law; Patti and Mark Ferry of Springfield, OR; Kathy and Jon Lee of Pleasant Hill, CA; and Harold and Sara Why of Sun Prairie, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harry; her daughter, Aimee; sister, Carolyn Mitsuda; brother, Richard; and brother-in-law, William Hutchinson.

Friends and family are encouraged to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com and www.theworldlink.com. Arrangements are under the care of North Bend Chapel, 541-756-0440.

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