Anna Sweeney

Private services for Anna "Annie" Sweeney, age 70, were held at her home on March 18, 2018.
Irish by mind and soul, American by body, Mom by heart.

Annie moved to America in 1976, but never relinquished her Irish citizenship. While she had a great reverence for America, she had a deep love for Ireland and more specifically Derry where she was born and where her family remained.

Soon, Annie will cross the Atlantic and return home to Derry, the town she loved so well under that western sky. There, where once she ran so free, she shall have peace. Now, in the light of eternity, her life and legacy stand as a monument to her family and to Ireland. Annie's legacy of unconditional love, unrelenting authenticity, infectious good humor, and unapologetic "Irishness" will persist in her children and grandchildren.

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" - Mary Oliver

Having lost her mom when she was nine, Annie understood that life was a brief adventure with one fate guaranteed and beyond her control while all others were limited only by her imagination. So her plan was always to live intensely and deliberately a life of love and meaning. It was in their intersection that she found her purpose. The world is a bit better because she was here, and more importantly her kids are able to breathe a bit easier because she existed.

She is survived by her son, Sean Leon; her daughters, Brenda Mackey, Karen Stanford, and Megan Sanchez; her sisters, Rhona Toland and Sally McCusker. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Morgan Quirk, Braylon LeBlanc, Harper Muir, Emily Mackey, and Cullen Stanford.

She was preceded in death by her son, Wade Leon; her parents, Willie Sweeney and Annie Duddy; her brothers, Michael Sweeney and Liam Sweeney and her sister, Maria McConomy.

Family and friends are invited to sign and view the online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337-942-2638) has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.