Anne Marie Guilfoyle

Anne Marie (Parkinson) Guilfoyle died at the Colby Health and Rehabilitation Center on April 4th, 2025. She was born an identical twin on November 11, 1933, in Queens, New York to Roderick and Jean Parkinson. Roderick passed away early in their childhood and Jean later married Walter Haas. The girls were born a month early before ultrasounds were available and it was a surprise to their parents. Unprepared for twins, they were referred to as twin A and twin B and had to be named before they left the hospital. Jean quickly named them Anne and Barbara. As identical twins they were forever connected and spoke to each other every day and often long into the nights throughout their lives. Their family moved to Collinsville, Oklahoma when the twins were twelve years old because Walter obtained employment at American Airlines. Soon after they moved, the family was blessed with another daughter, Susan. Although it was a shock to move to Oklahoma from Queens, Anne and Barbara thrived in their education graduating from Collinsville High School in 1951 as valedictorian and salutatorian respectively.

Anne met Donald Guilfoyle through his sister Therese in January 1953. Don knew she was “the one” when they attended Mass together and she brought her Catholic prayer book along on the date. Don was drafted into the Army and their courting turned quickly into an engagement. The engagement was short, and a perfect wedding was planned with the marriage ceremony happening on September 26th,1953, at St. Therese of the Little Flower Church in Collinsville, OK. While working as a secretary, Anne chose her wedding dress off the rack over her lunch hour in Tulsa, Ok. Anne and Don were married for 71 years and 7 months. Theirs was the perfect love story and they cherished each other unconditionally. Their marriage has been a model of true commitment. Don and Anne were blessed with six daughters and two sons.

Anne enjoyed her role as mother and homemaker. She loved to cook delicious meals and bake for her family, friends and neighbors. Anne and Don moved multiple times before landing in Colby in 1973. She made good friends wherever she went. Anne made efforts to visit people in nursing homes and had a knack of finding people who needed a friend. For this reason, she loved her job as a home care assistant after her kids were all in school. In this role, she connected with her clients like they were her own family. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Catholic school especially in the library. Anne loved books and she passed this love on to her children and grandchildren by taking them to the local library frequently. Growing up during the depression years Anne learned how to stretch a dollar to raise her large family on one income, but that did not curb her generous spirit. She was always willing to share her time and talents and homemade baked goods. Entertaining guests was something she loved. She often had dinners for friends, college students, priests, nuns, and deacons to name a few. Anne also loved to host coffees with her beloved friend circle. Birthdays, holidays and other special occasions were often shared around the famous large dining room table. Laughter, games, memories and amazing food gave many generations a sense of belonging.

Anne was an avid supporter of the activities in which her children and grandchildren participated. She spent countless hours traveling to and attending sporting events, county fairs, dog shows, music programs, dance recitals and style reviews. She was so proud of all the accomplishments and achievements of her family. She and Don were also super fans of the Colby High School and Colby Community College athletic teams and attended games long after their children had graduated. When they could no longer go to the games they continued to watch their favorite teams online.

She is survived by her husband, Donald of Colby, KS; children, Eleanor (Matt) Dumler, of Oakley, KS, Elieen (Walt) Woofter, of Overland Park, KS, James (Kathy) Guilfoyle, of Fairhope, AL, Emily Strange, of Colby, Evelyn (Mark) Diederich, of Greenleaf, KS, Elizabeth (Darcy) Guilfoyle, of Mancos, CO, and Joseph Guilfoyle, of Colby, KS; 21 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jean, Roderick, and Walter Haas; twin sister Barbara Helm; infant daughter Margaret Mary Guilfoyle; grandson Jordan Harris; granddaughter-in-law Christa Guilfoyle, and great grandson Ethan Rohr.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m., with a Vigil at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 7, 2025, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby. The funeral Mass is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Colby, with burial in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic School and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com