Anita Darragh

Anita Sipes Darragh (Annie) passed peacefully on November 26, 2021. She had been a resident of The Lodge at Mallards Landing for the past 5+ years, most recently in the Memory Care Unit.

Born in Waterloo, Iowa, to Chris and Leona Heinichen, she grew up in neighboring Cedar Falls. On her 18th birthday, she left home to join the Air Force and was stationed in Japan. It was there she met her first husband, Don Sipes. Don and Annie returned to Tacoma following honorable discharges, bringing with them their infant daughter. Their family eventually grew by four more children.

After her marriage ended after 25 years she took up her love of cooking and found a job on a Tugboat as their cook, mastering her culinary skills. It offered her not only employment, but also adventure, as she made several trips between Tacoma and Alaska.

Annie and her second husband, Jack Darragh, moved from University Place to Gig Harbor in 1988. After her marriage ended she became a Census Taker and received many awards from the Census Bureau for her diligence and dedication to her job.

One of her greatest passions and joys in life was her involvement with the choir at St. Nicholas Church in Gig Harbor where she participated for more than thirty years. 

Annie was preceded in death by her oldest son, Donny Sipes, her parents, and her two sisters. She is survived by her children, Cheri Bichsel (Bill), Steven Sipes, Sandy Rickett (Scott), and David Sipes (Becky), as well as 10 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and dear friends, Anne Knapp, Debbie Walker, Carol Raby, and Karen VanDruff.

May our mother Rest in Peace.

Funeral Date TBD

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