Anna R. Armstrong of New York

29 August

Anna R. Armstrong, deaconess at St. Clement’s in New York City, died 29 August 1960.

Anna R. Armstrong was born on 31 January 1873 and was set apart as deaconess in 1908 by Bishop Greer of New York, after graduation from the Training School at Grace Church. Armstrong spent the majority of her diaconal life in the diocese of New York. From 1909 until 1917 she served various churches in the Bronx including St. Martha’s; and St. James/Fordham. After a brief tenure at St. Peter’s Church in Westchester, Armstrong settled into an eleven-year term at St. Clement’s Church located in Manhattan’s notorious Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood. While serving at St. Clement’s, Armstrong, who had a theatrical background, produced many plays and pageants. Due to failing health, Armstrong retired from active parish service in 1940 and became co-supervisor of St. Clare’s Home in Upper Red Hook, New York. She later retired to St. Anne’s Guest House and Convent in Kingston, where she died at the age of 87 on 29 August 1960. Her funeral was held at Christ Church, Red Hook; the chief liturgist was Suffragan Bishop J. Stuart Wetmore. She is interred in the churchyard of St. John the Evangelist in Barrytown, along with several other deaconesses. [research of Deacon Geri Swanson]