ADDISON, ME: Annie Lou (Hayward) Risley passed away peacefully at her home, on February 4th, 2017, following a long illness, comforted by family and friends and with her beloved dog Phoebe at her side. Annie Lou, daughter of James Archie and Arlene Garnett Hayward, was born June 30, 1937 in Jonesport, Maine. She attended Jonesport Elementary and Jonesport High Schools where she was involved in activities, such as choir, tap dancing, home economics, and junior speaking, before graduating in 1956.
An only child, Annie Lou was her Daddy’s girl and in the days before television, she and her parents would walk to the Jonesport Opera House to attend an occasional show. As the night’s entertainment would end, she would pretend she was asleep to have her father carry her home in his arms. Upon arriving across the road from their home, she would exclaim, “You can put me down now Daddy, I can walk the rest of the way myself.” A few years later and old enough to drive the family car, maybe in a hurry, she pulled into the driveway too close to the house and tore the corner boards from the home. Her mother, holding her accountable, informed her that she would have to tell her father when he got home from work. Fearing the worst, she sheepishly told him what had happened, only to hear, “I will get a hammer and nails and fix it in the morning.” On another occasion, entering the garage not braking fast enough, she drove into and out through the back wall of the garage. Later that evening when she looked at her father with her big, tearful, brown eyes, all her Daddy could say was, “I will get a hammer and nails and fix it in the morning.” There were also never any serious punishments for ink pens broken as shoe horns or folding rules that met their demise as accordions. Though very much loved and a little spoiled, she was born to a poor family that knew the value of hard work and a dollar. She learned to cook, clean, and sew and to can vegetables and meats in the summer and fall, for the hard winters to come. Even to this last summer, she continued to can jams, jellies and vegetables for her family. She taught her daughters and granddaughters how to do the same. One of her favorite fall scents was that of pickles and mincemeat cooking. Although we were all threatened with being taken over her checkered apron, the most you would ever receive was a few love pats and another threat of her telling your father when he got home. Annie Lou loved family times of cookouts, making homemade ice cream and playing a ruthless game of 83. She loved her pets and often took her dog Phoebe with her. Many hot days, she would gather up Phoebe and her grand dogs and take them for a cool ride and a doggie ice cream at the Pleasant River Drive-In. After high school, she started her career at Merrill Trust Bank of Jonesport. Later falling in love with Verlan Lenfestey, a hard working man from Beals Island they were soon married. Annie Lou enjoyed being a home maker, raising her four children and she always welcoming her beloved stepsons, Johnny and Barry and as many neighborhood kids that wanted to visit. Many times, on a days notice, she cooked cakes or pastries for school parties. Not that the school did not give proper notice; it was simply her children forgetting to ask until the last minute.  Annie Lou’s home was a favorite among the neighborhood children because of her hospitality and homemade goodies. As her children grew older she enjoyed going back to work at the family business, the Jonesport Supermarket. An intelligent woman, she moved from job to job doing whatever needed, whether it was accounting, store opener, produce, meat, deli, bakery or checkout she always greeted you with a cheerful smile. Later she worked at other stores in Machias and Harrington, ending her career in Jonesport at the Sunrise Care Facility as a cook and receiving an award for excellent service. In retirement after her first bout with cancer, she even returned part time to the Jonesport Supermarket simply because she was bored.
Annie Lou had a strong faith in her Heavenly Father and prayed often. She belonged and attended the Church of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, where she always loved cooking for any function that needed her pies, cakes, pastries or breads and was best known for her Boston Crème Pie. She was a member of the Indian River Grange #330 where she enjoyed playing Beano. Annie Lou will always be remembered for her generosity, her good home cooking and her love for her family, friends, community and pets.
She is survived by three children of her first husband Verlan Lenfestey; son James Lenfestey and wife Teresa; daughter Luann Alley of Addison and husband Janssen of Georgia; son Verlan Lenfestey Jr and wife Amy; Grandsons: James A Lenfestey and girlfriend Caroline; Mathew Alley and girlfriend Michelle; Mitchell Alley. Granddaughters: Tamra and Kylie Lenfestey. Also, much beloved stepchildren: Barry Williams and wife Judy of Maryland; John Williams and his wife Ruby of Deer Isle and all their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her aunt Isabelle Smith; very special cousins Loraine Wallace, Betty Sawyer, Wendy and husband Dicky Beal, Gail and husband Farrell Beal, Joyce and husband Wendell Alley, Bruce and wife Molly Greenlaw, their children and grandchildren; Sisters in law Adele Alley, Joyce Alley and husband Ralph, Margaret Lenfestey; brother in law Wilfred Lenfestey and wife Olive; former daughter-in-law Pamela Hearn ;Her childhood friend loved as a sister, Dawn Marie Faulkingham. Special nieces; Theresa Leighton, Mary Jane Wallace, Close friends; Becky Beal, Jane Skinner, Charlene Gray and just too many more to list, but she loved you all.
Annie Lou was predeceased by her husband Melvin G. Risley; parents James Archie and Arlene Garnett Hayward; daughter Jan Marie Doray; aunts Josephine Risley, Thelma Gray and husband Carl; uncles Carlton Haycock, Oscar Hayward and his wife Carrie and their infant son, Richard; Sisters-in-law Lillian Huntley and her husband Jimmy; Lavonne Smith and her husband Halburton (Bertie); Almena Alley and her husband Lester Faulkingham; brothers-in-law Chester Lenfestey, Joseph Alley; special friend Arlene Guptill.
Family and friends may visit Thursday February 9th at 11:00 a.m. until the funeral following at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, West Jonesport, Maine. Due to predicted inclement weather, graveside internment prayers will be offered at the Church following the funeral. Services will be officiated by Elder Gary Wilson, Elder Dale Smith, and Elder Michael Beal. Arrangements by McClure Family Funeral Services, Machias, Maine. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.mcclurefamilyfuneral.com

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