ANNE PIERCE DeYOUNG's Obituary
Anne Pierce DeYoung, 91, of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully from a sudden cardiac event on May 17, 2023. Peacefully because her sister, Barbara, thought she had merely gone to sleep in her recliner. Unexpected because Anne was feisty, energetic, and passionate about life. Her family felt that she might have been preparing to race for a spot in her chair exercise class as it has a “new, hot young instructor, and I need to get a place before the other ladies do” or to make sure her favorite Moose Tracks ice cream would be available for a lunchtime dessert. Anne had a sharp wit, a caring spirit, and never passed up an opportunity to spend time with friends—and everyone was her friend--play Bingo (she won $2.00 the last time she played), eat a bowl of Moose Tracks ice cream, or spend time with her family. All who knew her will remember and greatly miss her.
Anne was born in Yorkshire, England, in October 1931 to Robert and Eileen Pierce. She moved to the United States in 1953, where she worked as a nanny (totally outside her wheelhouse!) for a couple in New York City. Anne met soldier and physicist Clarence Marvin "Dee" DeYoung Jr. at a USO dance a year later. She gave him her telephone number. Then, thinking he hadn’t called her soon enough—it was three days--Anne called him to set up a date for the next dance. Remembering the beautiful British girls at the dance, he readily accepted. Please note that because he didn’t wear his glasses to the dance, he couldn't remember which girl was Anne. The second dance was incredible as the first, and six weeks later, they were married and spent the next 64 years together. It was a loving, adventurous, and always interesting 64 years filled with laughter, sorrow, fun times, and fun adventures. They lived in many states and countries worldwide before settling in Fairfax in 1972. Anne was preceded in death by Dee and her parents.
She is survived by her children: Michael DeYoung (Deborah) of Fairfax, Virginia; Michelle Eileen DeYoung (Elmar) of Washington, DC; and Christopher Marvin DeYoung (Colin) of Bloomington, Indiana; her grandchildren Alexander Pierce DeYoung (Emily) of Ashburn, Virginia, and Denia Nicole DeYoung of Tokyo, Seoul, Germany, and Fairfax, Virginia, and her loving sister, Barbara Eileen McChesney. She also leaves many friends behind because that is who Anne was: caring, humble, determined, and a friend to all.
Anne was a woman of tremendous faith. Every morning she prayed to God to give her patience for the day as she cared for Barbara. Every night she asked for forgiveness in case she hadn’t lived up to the Lord’s will. A faithful member of the Immanuel Bible Church, she and Barbara attended every Christmas cantata and Easter pageant to sing, laugh, and give thanks for the blessings in her life. Of course, it didn't hurt that there were many refreshments to be shared at these events too.
Anne cared for people—most particularly her younger sister Barbara. Orphaned at 5 and 3 years old, respectively, their grandfather and two aunts raised her and Barbara at Nafferton Hall, Yorkshire, England. Anne was there for Barbara her entire life. People referred to them both as the "twins," and you would see Anne helping Barbara until she passed. Many a family member or friend would laugh as Anne forgot to hang up the phone after a call, and the words, "Barbara, Barbara, let’s go eat/exercise/dance/play Bingo….” would echo across the line.
Anne was an exceptional athlete and won championships in tennis and field hockey. She was known for her tenacity on the field, never say quit attitude and sportsmanship. A small example was when Anne competed in an eastern region tennis tournament with Montgomery Ward. It was a mixed tournament, and even at 50 years old, Anne beat all opponents, winning the championship two years in a row against a former Virginia HS state tennis champion 20 years younger than her. She tired him with her defensive play, softly returning all shots, dinking the ball across the net, and asking politely, "Oh, were you ready when you served the ball? Do you want to serve again and redo the point?" Then when teaching her granddaughter, Denia, how to play field hockey, she said, "Just give a little whack on the ankles to your opponent when the referee isn't looking. It will slow them down a bit." She gave the same advice to her grandson, Alex, as he began his ice hockey career.
Emigrating from England to the United States surprised many of her friends. While Anne was raised by her grandfather and two aunts, she and Barbara were fortunate that the house was large and there was a nanny to help them out. Moving to the United States with less than $50 in her pocket to become a nanny when she had no idea what that entailed was like Anne-adventurous, sometimes impulsive, and confident in what she could do. We won't even mention when she was a teenager. Anne left Barbara on a beach near Nice, France, to sail off with a "pirate" on his ship! Many decades later, she admitted that the pirate may only have been a suave Frenchman with an eyepatch and a small row/sailboat combination.
Anne was progressive and broke boundaries. She was the first female furniture salesperson that the Springfield Mall Montgomery Ward employed. Anne persevered despite being on the receiving end of many a prank or joke. By her second year, she became the top national salesperson for Montgomery Ward. She then moved to Stanis Furniture, where she became a top salesperson despite only working part-time. Her success was not a surprise to those who knew Anne. She talked to people—and yes, she loved to talk--genuinely cared about them and their families and constantly followed up to see how they were doing. Sales and life were not transactional to Anne. It was about genuine love and caring for the people around her.
Anne’s family would like to especially thank Anna Maria Yanez and the residents and staff of the Ashleigh at Landsdowne assisted living facility. For years, Anna Maria helped care for Anne, Dee, and Barbara. Her friendship and assistance were special. And for the Ashleigh at Landsdowne team, we cannot say enough positive things. From their first interactions with Anne and Barbara up to and continuing past her final moments, the warmth, friendship, and genuine love shown by every resident and member of the staff has been exceptional. We appreciate all of you.
The family, residents, and staff of the Ashleigh at Landsdowne assisted living facility will hold a private memorial to celebrate Anne’s life. A more formal celebration of life service will be held at the Fairfax Immanuel Bible Church at a to-be-determined date later in June. Interment was held at Arlington National Cemetery on August 20, 2025, where she joined Dee at this hallowed ground. Of course, he might be tossing and turning at this thought!
Instead of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Middleway House, 338 S Washington St., Bloomington, Indiana 47401.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.loudounfuneralchapel.com.
What’s your fondest memory of ANNE?
What’s a lesson you learned from ANNE?
Share a story where ANNE's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with ANNE you’ll never forget.
How did ANNE make you smile?
