Anna Anagnostelis

A beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, Anna Anagnostelis, 91, of Albuquerque, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2026.

Anna was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1935, in Kalamata, Greece, to Spiro and Kaliopi Anagnostou. She was raised alongside her siblings John, Andres, Freida, and Mary. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James “Jimmy” (The Greek) Anagnostelis, and her siblings John, Andres, and Freida.

At the age of 25, Anna met the love of her life, Jimmy. They married, and on September 27, 1960, Jimmy brought his bride to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they built their life together. Determined to make a home in her new country, Anna attended Albuquerque High School to learn English. She later worked at Levi Strauss, sewing jeans, and at GTE Lenkurt, where she helped manufacture electronic boards.

Anna devoted herself to her family and raised her two daughters, Mary Ann and Jamie, giving them a childhood filled with love, faith, family, and friends. After Jimmy passed away in 1985, Anna continued to be the heart of her family. She lovingly cared for her daughters and grandchildren and remained a constant source of strength, wisdom, unconditional love, and support.

Anna’s greatest joys were her family and her faith. She loved opening her home to family and friends and took great pleasure in entertaining and making everyone feel welcome. She was an accomplished cook and baker and was especially known for her perfectly baked Greek pastries. She planted a beautiful garden and grew the best grapes in the neighborhood. From her garden came some of her family’s favorite dishes, including her delicious dolmades, stuffed bell peppers, and chile rellenos.

Anna was also wonderfully creative. She spent countless hours knitting, crocheting, sewing, making blankets and crafts, and creating beautiful works of art through her needlepoint. Many of the things she made were lovingly given to family and friends and became cherished reminders of her love. She took great joy in watching everyone “fight” over who would receive her next creation.

Anna especially treasured her time with her grandchildren. She delighted in watching them grow and took great joy in their lives. She loved attending church services, visiting with the people she cared about, and being surrounded by the family, friends, and neighbors who meant so much to her.

Anna’s spirit and love will live on through her family: Mary Ann and Gary Kaye, and Jamie and Eddy Burgarello; her grandchildren, James and Jordan Kaye, and Brianna and Mario Burgarello; her great-grandchildren, Thanasi Castaneda, and Kaden and Kash Burgarello; and the many others she welcomed into her heart and lovingly considered family. She is also survived by her sister, Mary and her nephew, Spiro Anagnostou.

Although her family will miss her dearly, Anna’s love will continue through the generations she helped shape. Her stories will be told, her traditions carried on, her recipes and crafts treasured, and the lessons she taught will remain in the hearts of everyone blessed to know her.

Anna leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, love, generosity, and devotion. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A Trisagion service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Daniels Family Funeral Services – Wyoming Chapel, 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 308 High St. SE. Interment will follow at Fairview Memorial Park, 700 Yale Blvd. SE.

A Makaria luncheon will be served at St. George Greek Orthodox Church following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. George Philoptochos or the Daughters of Penelope.