Ethel Anna Taksony passed away peacefully on Dec. 5, 2013, in Coupeville, Wash.

She was born in Detroit, Mich., to George and Ethel Engi. She was one of six children growing up in a large Hungarian family. During the Great Depression she learned to work hard and enjoy the little things in life. During her childhood she often spent summers on a farm owned by friends of the family. She loved country living, from gardening to bringing the cows in for the evening milking.

World War II broke out and everyone in the family went to work, helping to supplement the household income. Anna found a job at a local department store and later with a book company.

In 1945, WWII was ending and soldiers were coming home. Anna then met the love of her life, Joseph Taksony. They found they had a lot in common, each coming from large Hungarian families. They shared a likeness for foods, spoke Hungarian, and actually lived only three blocks from each other. They began courting and married in 1947, setting up housekeeping, and soon their first child was born, a son, who was shortly followed by another son.

They then moved the family to Southern California — sunshine, fresh air and plentiful jobs in the aeronautics industry. The Taksonys bought a house in the San Fernando Valley and shortly after their third child was born, a baby girl.

In 1970, they wandered up to the Pacific Northwest, eventually making Whidbey Island their home.

Anna was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ethel Engi, all but one of her siblings, her son Steven Taksony, and the love of her life, her husband Joseph Taksony.

She is survived by her son George Taksony, of Clinton, Wash.; her daughter Tina Gabelein (Bob Gabelein), of Langley, Wash.; her grandchildren, Jamee Jones (Paul Jones), of Maui, Hawaii; Jason Taksony (Charme Taksony), of Maui, Hawaii; Sean Taksony (Jason Taksony-Hewitt), of Los Angeles, Calif.; Ryan Taksony (Kimberly Taksony), of Clinton, Wash.; Amy Kermgard (Dave Kermgard), of Sunland, Calif.; Michael Taksony (Brianna Taksony), of Acton, Calif.; Lisa Taksony, of California; Steven Taksony, of California; Scott Gabelein, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Hayley Griffin (J.J. Griffin), of Sandford, N.C.

She is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

The family would like to express their thanks to the nurses and caregivers at Careage of Whidbey, for caring for Anna and giving the family support during the difficult days.

Anna will be missed and forever in our hearts.