Anna Piercy, a longtime trustee of the Anaheim Union High School District, has died at the age of 80
Anna Piercy, longtime Anaheim Union School District trustee and former mayor of Cypress, is remembered for her decades of service to the education of children in local schools.
Piercy died on May 6 at the age of 80. She had been battling cancer.
Prior to joining the school board, Piercy worked for AUHSD for more than 37 years. She began her career in education in 1968 as a seventh grade geography, art and reading teacher at Trident Junior High School and then served as a speech, drama and art teacher at Oxford Junior High School in 1979.
In 1980, she moved to Lexington Junior High School, where she worked until her retirement in 2005, teaching history, English, speech, drama and art.
Just a year after she announced her retirement from teaching, Piercy ran for AUHSD school board and won.
"When she believed in something, she let us know, she was never afraid", AUHSD Board President Annemarie Randle-Trejo said in announcing Piercy's passing at the May 7 board meeting. "She also listened. She listened to each and every one of us gathered here on this dais and to everyone who was there".
Piercy was elected to the school board four more times, twice unopposed.
"It was wonderful to see someone who does what she does with pure joy", AUHSD Trustee Katherine Smith said. "This position was never hard or difficult for her. She has been able to accomplish a lot, and I am grateful to her and her family".
"We've been very fortunate to have had her in this school district for as long as we have", Smith said.
Superintendent Michael Matsuda said he had a chance to speak with Piercy shortly before her death and she told him she was "very grateful to God for 80 years of health".
"Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with cancer in the last few months, but she was very grateful to the whole neighborhood and so much love was shown to her", Matsuda said.
Piercy also served on the Cypress City Council from 1996 to 2004, including as mayor in 2000 and interim mayor in 1999 and 2004.
She has served on various Orange County boards over the years, including the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program, the Anaheim Twin Cities Commission, the Orange County Sanitation Board of Directors, the Orange County Library Board and the Orange County Fire Authority.
Piercy's funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May 30 at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church in Cypress.
She is survived by two daughters and six grandchildren.
The AUHSD Board will make an interim appointment to fill the vacancy representing Region 5. The appointee will serve until the general election in November when the seat will be placed on the ballot.
Applications are already being accepted, and those interested can contact Christina Bevins in the superintendent's office at 714-999-5698. Expressions of interest must be made no later than May 24, said John Bautista, AUHSD spokesman.
Candidates must be registered voters and reside in Trustee District 5.
On May 28, information packets will be sent to those who have expressed interest in filling the vacancy. Completed candidate information packets, including all supporting documents, must be returned by June 5. A public hearing will be held on June 6 to gather comments about the candidates.
A special board meeting to interview candidates for interim appointment will be held on June 11, and candidates will be appointed at the June 13 regular board meeting.
The district has until July 5 to fill this spot.
The Anaheim Union High School District serves all or parts of Anaheim, Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, and Stanton. It operates eight junior high schools, eight high schools, and one alternative school.