Anna Marie Welch Hager, 86, died peacefully at her home in Castle Hayne on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, surrounded by her family.

She was born October 19, 1922 in Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, the daughter of Richard Seymour and Anna Frances Gill Welch.

Anna's life was devoted to her husband and their six children. After her children were grown, she returned to college to complete her nursing degree and worked for 14 years at Davis Nursing Home. After retiring from nursing she was a volunteer with Lower Cape Fear Hospice. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, and participating in the activities of her church, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Joseph Carl Hager. She leaves behind her children, Joseph Carl Hager III of Salt Lake City, Utah, Ruth Anna Smith (Johnny) of Burgaw, Mary Susan Spence (Jon) of Stanfield, Peter John Hager (Maria) of Basel, Switzerland, Paul Richard Hager (Donna) of Baltimore, Maryland and James Lee Hager (Rhonda) of Wilmington; twelve grandchildren; four great granddaughters; sisters, Catherine Kleinshrot of Painesville, Ohio and Sister Mary Welch of Louisville, Ohio and brother, John Welch of Worthington, Ohio.

A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 noon on Friday, October 24, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Father Ryszard Kolodziej officiating.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Casketbearers were James Hager, Johnny Smith, John Hager, Paul Hager, Jon Spence and Sean Smith.

The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the mass.

Memorial gifts may be given to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 2222 S. 17th St., Wilmington, NC 28401 or to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 4849 Castle Hayne Rd., Castle Hayne, NC 28429.

Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.