Anna Mae Morden

Anna Mae Morden (Anne), né e Rockey, 83, passed away in Portland, OR on Thursday, June 16, 2011, from injuries sustained during a traffic accident. Anne was born in Jefferson, Iowa, on February 27, 1928, the oldest daughter of Ward and Ruby Rockey. Her early years were spent in Algona and Mason City, Iowa. She graduated from Iowa State University in 1948 with a degree in home economics.

On September 4, 1948, at age twenty, she married her high school sweetheart, Don Morden. They were born five days apart and lived only a few blocks from each other during their first year of life, but didn’t meet until their teen years, when Don visited his uncle who was a high school coach in Mason City, Iowa. Anne’s father was a fellow coach and their meeting led to a sixty-two year partnership of love and devotion.

During the early years of their marriage, Anne and Don lived in Oak Park and Hoffman Estates, Illinois. They relocated their young family to Southern California in 1960, where they lived until their move to Astoria in 1974. Anne was a homemaker, active in the Canoga Park United Methodist Church and the American Association of University Women (AAUW).

The Pacific Northwest and Astoria claimed Anne’s heart and she poured herself into a wide range of community groups. She was active in the Astoria's First United Methodist Church and was a member and leader of United Methodist Women, AAUW, and PEO. She served as a docent at the Colombia Maritime Museum and sang with the North Coast Chorale. She was a proud member of the Needlepointers, who made the large needlepoint tapestry designed by Bill Dodge for the Clatsop County Historical Society.

Anne taught home economics at Astoria Middle School from 1983 – 1993. In 1981, she and Don established Columbia Chocolates by Mordens, producing unique and delectable hand-dipped chocolates. They sold the business and retired in 1997.

Earlier this year, in recognition of her many years of volunteer service to the community, Anne was named by AAUW as one of “100 Women Who Helped Make Astoria Unique.” In 1992, she and Don received the Astoria-Warrenton Chamber of Commerce George Award, which honors citizens who give extraordinary service to the community. In 1967, she was awarded first prize in the Lawry’s Cook-Off in Los Angeles, for her recipe for Spicy Beef Boats, a longtime family favorite.

Family and friends recall her warmth and hospitality and her ethic of service to others. A survey of the things that Anne especially loved include: a warm fire in the morning; babies and toddlers; a completed knitting project; Eleanor Roosevelt; hymn singing; a Blazers’ victory; a really good, raunchy joke; fine chocolate, butterscotch and caramel; jigsaw puzzles; big hugs; and a good read. The great loves of her life were her husband, her family, and Astoria.

She had a servant’s heart and always made a place at the table for everyone.

Anne is survived by her husband, Donald, and her four children: Stephen of San Diego, Calif., Cheryl (Reuben Snipper) of Takoma Park, Maryland, Mark (Kay Kiser) of Seattle, Wash., and David of Tucson, Arizona. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Jesse (Lisa) Snipper, Malachi (Kristina) Morden, Ryan Morden, Gabriel Morden-Snipper, Damian Morden-Snipper and three great-grandchildren: Luciana, Samuel, and Natalie Morden. Other surviving relatives include her sister, Jane (Chuck) Lake, sister-in-law, Marilyn Roberts, and brother-in-law, Robert (Annette) Morden.

A memorial service will be held at the Astoria First United Methodist Church, 1076 Franklin Avenue, Astoria, OR. 97138 on June 28 at 10:30 a.m. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Anne Morden Memorial Fund of the Astoria First United Methodist Church or a charity of the giver’s choosing.

Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. Please visit and sign our online guest book at caldwellsmortuary.com