Anne Marie Przybyla

            Anne Marie Przybyla, age 83 of Denver Colorado, formerly of Rogers City, MI, passed away on April 19, 2024, after a brief illness.

            The daughter of the late Anthony and Anna (Romel) Przybyla was born on October 23, 1940, in Alpena.  Anne had a medically challenging childhood having hip surgery at the age of four.   She was bedridden for six months, delaying the start of school in kindergarten.  She was able to start school the following year at St. Ignatius School.  She then graduated from Rogers City High School in 1959.   Anne continued her education at Mercy College in Detroit, getting her degree as a Registered Nurse.  After working in the Royal Oak for a few years, she went to Walsenburg, Colorado doing volunteer work through Extension (affiliated with the Catholic Church).   Falling in love with Colorado, Anne moved to Denver continuing with her nursing work.  She also continued studying and received her Master's Degree in Humanities and was certified as a Pediatrics Nurse Practioner.  

            In 1970, Anne and her sister Laurie visited their brother Jim while he was in the Peace Corps in Venezuela.  That was one vacation they were happy to return home because of all the poverty they observed.

            Throughout her years in Colorado, Anne had a strong love for dogs.  She joined the Denver Pet Partners as a volunteer.  With her therapy dog, she visited patients in the hospital and the Denver Children’s Home.  Seeing how much joy this brought to the patients was very gratifying for her.

            Anne never missed coming home to Rogers City every summer for the Nautical Festival and spending time with family at our annual picnics. 

            Surviving are sisters Rita Rotta of Oakland Twp., and Laurie Ross of Harbor Springs; brothers Dennis (Janet) Przybyla of Ft. Wayne, In., Anthony Przybyla Jr., and James Przybyla of Rogers City; special Colorado friends Shawn and Susan Wiant, and Hillary Davis.   

            Anne was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Edwin, Ralph, and Bro. Julian, sister-in-laws, Mavis Przybyla, Mary Przybyla, and Carol Przybyla, and brother-in-law Robert Ross.  

            A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Hentkowski Funeral Home from 9:00 AM until the 11:00 AM Memorial Service.  Burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery will follow.  Online condolences can be sent to hentkowskifuneral.com

            Memorials are suggested to St. Ignatius Catholic School and Denver Pet Partners, P.O. Box 271505, Denver Co. 80127