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Anna Shubik Sweeney died at home in Chester at age 69 on Sept. 26. She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother; a devoted friend to many; and an indelible part of the town of Chester.

Anna was born on April 18, 1952, in Chicago, to Virginia and Dr. Philippe Shubik, the second of their four children. Of her happy childhood in Glencoe, Illinois, she would remember the care of her loving and gregarious mother and summers spent at the cottage her parents built on Jack Lake in Ontario. In June of 1963, Anna and her father survived a house fire that claimed the lives of her mother and siblings. From this tragedy, Anna gained the lifelong trait of resilience. She often repeated the maxim, “life goes on,” even after the most terrible events.

Anna left the midwest in 1970 to attend Smith College. At Smith, she earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and a master’s degree in education. She moved to New York City, where she first worked as a paralegal and then attended law school at Rutgers. At age 30, Anna met Paul Sweeney through mutual friends. They eloped five months later and remained married for almost 39 years, welcoming son Ben in 1985 and twins, Virginia and Sam, two years later. Anna was an integral part of Chester, playing an active role in Democratic politics, helping incorporate the Chester Land Trust, and serving for years as Chester’s inland wetlands enforcement officer. She maintained a law practice in town, supporting her clients through life’s difficult episodes and helping them prepare for the future.

Anna had a contagious and often absurd sense of humor and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. She was the beating heart of her very close family, speaking with each of her children every day about things large and small. She will be missed beyond measure.

Anna is predeceased by her parents, brother Roger, sisters Jennifer and Carlotta, aunts Irene Shubik and Julie Shubik, and uncle Martin Shubik. She is survived by her husband Paul, son Benjamin (wife Amy Todd and daughter Josephine Sweeney), daughter Virginia (husband Bartram Nason and daughter Magnolia Nason Sweeney), son Samuel, stepmother Valerie Shubik, stepsiblings Kathryn Diemer and Peter Shubik, and cousin Claire Shubik-Richards (husband Seth Richards-Shubik and children Elliott and Leopold).