Emily Anne Poole, 88, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, died on Monday, Dec. 7.  She was the daughter of the late Louis Emil and Sarah Purdy Smith of Darby.

She graduated from Ursinus College in 1949, where she met her future husband, Robert Poole, M.D.  They married on Dec. 23, 1949.  Anne worked as a science and health teacher and coached girl’s field hockey at the Manoa Elementary School in the Havertown School District.

After moving to Doylestown during her husband’s medical school residency, she taught at Buckingham Friends School in Lahaska.  While living in Doylestown as a young bride, Anne became involved with the League of Women Voters, and was instrumental in establishing the Department of Health in Bucks County, which at that time was only the third County Health Department in the state of Pennsylvania.

In 1955, when her husband graduated from Jefferson Medical College and was ready to begin his practice of medicine, Anne and Bob settled in West Chester.  Anne was active in the 49-ers, the YWCA, the Girl Scouts, the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Meals on Wheels, the West Chester Senior Center, and, along with others in the community, helped to establish the Day Care Center in West Chester.

Anne and her husband worked alongside other friends in the community to establish the 38-year tradition of Brian’s Run, a race that over the years has attracted international runners and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those with disabilities.  She was also a member of the Chester County Hiking Club, and was an avid bird watcher.

Her first priority was always her family.  She and Bob raised four daughters:  Pamela (Tom) Parkinson of Mount Laurel, N.J., Cynthia Poole of West Chester, Kristina (Jerry) Duffy of Warminster, and Melissa (Dick) Eppleman of Chester Springs.

She is also survived by her sister, Sally Lou Bergeman of Maris Grove, and five grandchildren: Rachel Duffy Sliwka, Emily Duffy, Rebecca Eppleman MacFeeters, Robert Poole Eppleman, and Richard Benjamin Eppleman.

Anne attended countless sporting events, musical programs, and art shows in support of her daughters’ and grandchildren’s’ interests.  She taught by example the lessons of respect for others, wholesome values, and the importance of family.

The family would like to extend special tthanks to Chester County Hospital, Neighborhood Hospice of West Chester, and the staff at Whitehorse Village for the compassionate care that she received throughout her illness.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Rd., West Chester.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations where Anne volunteered: West Chester Area Day Care Center, 501 E. Nields St., West Chester, 19382; The West Chester Area Senior Center, 530 E. Union Street, West Chester, 19382; Meals on Wheels of Chester County, Inc., 404 Willowbrook Lane, West Chester, 19382-5570.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.foundsfuneralhome.com.