Anne R. (Reader) Blackburn

Anne R. Blackburn, 90, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 26, 2021.  Born in Wilmington on December 16, 1930, she was the daughter of the late John and Florence (Galloway) Reader.

Anne was a graduate of St. Paul’s School and St. Elizabeth’s High School.  She began her career with Hercules before raising her family, and eventually retired from Astra Zeneca.  She was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and the New Castle County Irish Society.  Anne greatly enjoyed her second home in Ocean City, New Jersey, as well as vacationing on Sanibel Island. 

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, James P. Blackburn; her brother, Jackie Reader; her brother-in-law, James Skilling.

Anne is survived by her daughters, Patti Ptomey (Tom) of Tennessee and Karen Blackburn (Mike Handlin) of Wilmington; her grandchildren, Bryan Davis (Michelle) of Pennsylvania and Alyssa Ptomey of Tennessee.  Anne enjoyed spending time with her great grandchildren, Layla Ptomey and Bennett Davis.  She is also survived by her sister, Marie Skilling of Wilmington.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Monday, October 4 from 5:00-7:00PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4th Street and Bancroft Parkway, Wilmington on Tuesday, October 5 at 10:00AM, followed by interment in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Anne may be made to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, Newark, DE 19711 (www.delawarehospice.org).

​PLEASE NOTE: The family respectfully requests that those not vaccinated against COVID-19 follow the directives of the State of Delaware by wearing a face mask while inside the funeral home and church.

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