Anna Elizabeth Ferrin

Anna Ferrin was born Anna Elizabeth Devine in Philadelphia on September 12, 1914, the second daughter of Mary Margaret O’Connell and William Francis Aloysius Devine. Her older sister was Rita, and her two younger sisters were Jane and Dorothy (Dot). She also had three younger brothers, Charles (Bud), William (Bill) and John. John died at the age of two from complications related to pneumonia. It was a very sad time for her family. Anna recalled several other memories from her early life. She spoke of the ice cream shop where she was sent to pick up ice cream for dinner. Her mother would give her a bowl and some change, and she would walk to the shop where they would load up her bowl. She remembers sometimes sampling the ice cream on her walk back home. She also told stories of many trips on the train with her father and siblings. Her father worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. In her teen years, Anna and some friends would ride the train from Philadelphia to Cape May, New Jersey to enjoy the beach during the summer months. While Anna was in high school her family adopted Tommy Murphy, a neighborhood boy and family friend who had been living with his aunt. When his aunt passed away Tommy’s older brother Dan joined the service and Tommy moved in with the Devine family. All the siblings regarded Tommy as a brother, and they stayed close through the years. Following high school, Anna worked for Catholic Charities of Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Railroad before joining the Navy in 1943. She completed her training in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and worked at Navy facilities in the Bronx, New York, Washington, D.C. and Stillwater, Oklahoma. She was honorably discharged from the Navy on July 28, 1944, at the age of 30. At the time of discharge, she held a rank of Yeoman 2 and earned a salary of $96 per month. During her time in the Navy, Anna met Harold Ferrin, who was also in the Navy under the Marine Corps Special Raiders Division. Hal was a medic’s assist and part of the military assault on the Solomon Islands. Anna married Hal in Chicago on May 22, 1944. Anna recalled riding the train from Philadelphia to Chicago to meet Hal, who was traveling from San Diego, where he was stationed, to Chicago. Anna checked in at the downtown Chicago hotel but upon learning that Hall had not yet arrived, spent the day waiting in the lobby for his arrival. Anna and Hal lived in Philadelphia while Hal completed his Accounting Degree at Villanova University. During this time their first three children were born, Jon Michael, Anne Marie, and David Charles. Once Hal graduated, the family moved to Altoona, Pennsylvania where three more children were born, William Leroy, Teresa Ann and James Francis. They later moved to Levittown, Pennsylvania where, in 1960, their youngest boy, Daniel Patrick was born. Once her children were grown, Anna enjoyed working on many crafts, including sewing, knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and quilt-making. Many family members received her hand-made gifts, including sweaters, scarves, clothing, quilts and crocheted blankets. She also loved annual trips to Avalon, New Jersey where she would catch up with her sisters and brothers, and sit on the beach for hours reminiscing with her siblings. She is survived by all 7 of her children, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Please share your memories of Anna and condolences with her family by signing the Guestbook below.