Story Tools • • Date of Issue: May 19, 2010 Obituaries Phyllis Anderson Hanahan Phyllis Anderson Hanahan, 94, died March 19. Hanahan Mrs. Hanahan was born Youngstown, Pa., where her grandparents had emigrated from Sweden. She married Ralph Bailey “Doc” Hanahan III, M.D., in 1937 and moved to Lakeland, Fla., in 1954. The Hanahans loved Anna Maria and for more than 20 years owned “The Ark,” an old gray house on stilts at the beach end of Oak Avenue in Anna Maria. It has been the subject of many artists and a symbol of “old Florida.” Working with the Audubon Society and the city of Lakeland, Mrs. Hanahan was able to gain recognition for the city as a bird sanctuary. She also was instrumental in acquiring three pairs of swans from Queen Elizabeth II of England, the first to reside at Lake Morton. Soon after, many residents of Lakeland began to think of Mrs. Hanahan as the “bird lady.” People would arrive at her door with sick or injured birds, baby birds or the occasional squirrel that had fallen out of a nest. She also was active in the Morrell Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Women’s Auxiliary of the Medical Society of Polk County. She was an artist, and many of her works hung in her husband’s medical office as well as their home. She also was an accomplished seamstress. Following the death of Dr. Hanahan, she married Richard deGolian of Atlanta, who died in 2006. She was a long-time member of St. David’s Episcopal Church of Lakeland. Memorial gifts may be made to the Lake Region Audubon Society, 115 Lameraux Road, Winter Haven FL 33884; Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota FL 34238; or the Alzheimer Research Fund (Fund #F002267) of the University of Florida, P.O. Box 14425, Gainesville FL 32603. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. June 12 at the Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Mrs. Hanahan is survived by her children, Dr. Ralph B. Hanahan IV and wife Karen of Santa Rosa, Cal., Patricia Hanahan Engman of Anna Maria, Christy Hanahan Powell and husband Earl of Coral Gables, Fla., and Elizabeth Hanahan Taylor of Winter Haven, Fla.; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren. Richard J. Westby Richard J. Westby, 69, of Holmes Beach, formerly of Chadwick Beach, N.J., and Staten Island, N.Y., died May 11. Westby Mr. Westby was a member of the military police while serving in Vietnam. He received the Bronze Star with valor for his heroic actions. He returned to serve the New York City Police Department, where he rose to sergeant, heading the crime analysis department at one time. In retirement, Mr. Westby had many interests and hobbies, including boating, learning to fly, target shooting, motorcycles and his beloved pets. The Westbys have been members of the Key Royale Club since 2004. He also was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Rifle Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Superior Officers Association Retired, the Jersey Shore 10-13 and the Manasota 10-13 Associations, Retired Sergeant's Associations, The Blue Knights, Anna Maria Power Squadron, Moose Club, Kiwanis Club, PETA and the Humane Society. A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Bernard Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 15. Interment will be at Staten Island, N.Y. Donations may be made to PETA or the Humane Society. Mr. Westby is survived by wife Therese E. Darcy-Westby.