Anna Morrill

Cullowhee, North Carolina, Anna Chaiko Morrill, age 97, passed away on Saturday, December 19, 2020 after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Morrill was born in Moosic, Pennsylvania on February 17, 1923 to the late John and Mary Chaiko.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Maurice B. Morrill, who was the Dean of the Graduate School of Western North Carolina and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church; brother George Chaiko, who was killed in World War II, brothers Michael, John,  Joseph and a sister, Marie Clifford

After graduating from Moosic High School, Anna attended Temple Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was commissioned as an officer in the U. S. Navy Nurse Corps on 4-11-45 and served during WWII.

Mrs. Morrill’s tour of duty included Philadelphia Naval Hospital Bainbridge, Maryland, New Port, Rhode Island, San Diego, California and the Mariana Island (Guam).

After retiring as Lieutenant Junior Grade she attended Marywood College, Scranton, Pennsylvania and received  Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees.  She  was an Assistant Professor at  Marywood College for 12 years.

She attended  the School of Public University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill for a  Master of Public Health Nutrition.   She joined the faculty of Western Carolina University until her retirement after which she and Maurice traveled extensively to the British Isles, Italy, Poland, Iran, Germany, and Turkey.

Mrs. Morrill was a member of PSRA, American Diabetes Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Zeta Tau Alpha, Catholic Daughters of America, American Legion.  She was a proud member of Cullowhee Garden Club where she was honored with a Lifetime membership of North Carolina.  She was a member of Jackson County Church of Women and was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sylva, NC.

Mrs. Morrill will be greatly missed by brother Charles Chaiko, Old Forge, Downingtown, Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Ann Chaiko, Duryea, Pennsylvania and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held 12:00 noon on Monday, December 28, 2020 at Saint Mary's Catholic Church with Reverend Paul Asoh officiating.  The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Burial will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.

The care of Mrs. Morrill has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes