Elsie Bailey

Elsie Esther Anakkala Bailey, 93, passed away Monday, December 24, 2012. Elsie was born in Minnesota in the township of Millward on August 22, 1919. She was the fifth child of Matt and Hilja Anakkala who immigrated from Finland. She was raised in Minnesota and graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1938. Elsie worked as a legal secretary in Moose Lake until 1943. She relocated to California where she continued her education in the evenings while working as a legal secretary until 1944. She was later hired by the Naval District Legal office in San Diego where she worked in the General Court Martial office until 1948. During that time, she met George Bailey who she later married. She relocated to Cocoa Florida where she continued her secretarial employment with Snow and Campbell Legal Offices, Air Force Missile Test Center PAFB, W.H. Bailey Jeweler and Ritchie and Quigley, Attorneys at Law. During her 64 years of residence in Cocoa, she attended and supported activities of the Cocoa Elk's lodge along with her husband George. She was a member of the Cocoa Legal Secretaries Association, Cocoa Women's Club and an active member of the First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family and their friends. She raised two sons, Michael and Russell Bailey. She has also been attributed to helping raise a select few of the neighborhood children as well. She was a very mild mannered and hard working woman who rarely complained about anything. However, she was very protective of her children and would act swiftly when needed. She was an icon of the neighborhood on MacFarland Drive until she retired to Asbury Arms Apartments in Cocoa. Recently, she became a resident of Huntington Place Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rockledge where she remained until her passing. She touched many lives and will be greatly missed by all those who loved her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Matt and Hilja Anakkala, sister Ellen Duell and her three brothers, Gus, Roy and Hugo Anakkala, her sons' father, George Bailey, and their son Michael Bailey.

She is survived by her son Russell Bailey (Theresa). Four Grandchildren: Shelby (Tiffany), Christine (Alfred Ferwerda), Angela (Douglas Hill) and Matthew Bailey. One Great Grand Child, Thomas Hill and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held on January 19, 2012 at First United Methodist Church of Cocoa, 825 Forrest Avenue at 1:00 PM with committal following on site. A reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Food Pantry.