Anna Gerken Obituary

Anna Gerken CHARLESTON - Anna "Ann" Marie Gerken passed away on July 21, 2023 in Charleston, SC. She was 79. Ann was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 14, 1944 to her parents, Gertrude and Albert Leitgeb and grew up with her siblings, Barbara, Donald and Mary. After high school, she moved to Washington DC, where she worked for the FBI and the IRS, before moving with her sister, Barbara to Charleston, SC. In Charleston, while working at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, she met her husband, Andrew "Tommy" Gerken. Ann and Tommy had 4 children and raised them in Charleston. Ann is survived by Tommy, her husband of 54 years; her three children: Mark, Andrea, and Daniel and her two sisters, Barbara Rhoad and Mary Auerbach. Ann is predeceased by her daughter, Kristin. Ann's life can be summed up by her devotion to her children, husband and extended family and bringing joy, sweetness and love to others that she encountered in all walks of her life. No one spread more love in one lifetime. Ann was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish. Ann was also a huge fan of sports including Clemson football and Pittsburgh sports teams, particularly The Pirates and The Steelers. There will be a rosary service held at 4:00 PM on Monday, July 31, 2023, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley. Following the rosary service, the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home West Ashley. Inurnment will follow at 12:30 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, 604 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, 269 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Messages of sympathy may be viewed or submitted at www.mcalister-smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, SC 29414, (843) 722-8371.