Anna Lee Townsend

Anna Lee Shay Townsend returned home to our Creator October 6, 2021 at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello, Idaho from a lengthy battle with ongoing health problems.

Anna Lee was born on April 15, 1946 in Pocatello, Idaho to Leslie “Tarz” Shay and Annabelle Devinney. She was raised on the Fort Hall Reservation and was a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. She was raised by her paternal aunt and uncle, Melina ‘Nina’ Tendoy Poog and Clarence Poog.

Anna Lee attended school in Pocatello and graduated from Highland High School in 1966. She continued her higher education at Idaho State University and earned her Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1979.
She furthered her education by earning a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University in Tucson, Arizona.

Throughout her lengthy career she worked various jobs, most notable positions include the Curriculum Research and Development Program and the Personnel Director for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. She also worked for the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Joint Business Council as the Personnel Director in Fort Washakie, Wyoming.

Anna Lee’s most notable employment positions were with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs working in many places and positions such as Denver, Colorado and Phoenix, Arizona. She also worked as the Administrative Officer at the Eastern Headquarters in Washington, DC. She then served as the Administrative Officer to the Superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Fort Hall Branch in Fort Hall, Idaho. She then was selected to serve as Superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Eastern Regional Office located in Hollywood, Florida. She then retired from the Department of Interior and moved back to Fort Hall, Idaho.

Anna Lee was not all about business she loved her family. She was married to Timothy Brunette with whom they had two sons, Vonley and Lael ‘Brandy’ Brunette. They later divorced. Anna Lee then married Dennis Lee Townsend and they had one daughter, Katina ‘Tina’ Townsend. Together her children blessed her with 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She loved each and every one of her kids and grandchildren dearly. She raised her children and many of her grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Anna Lee is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis and her daughter Katina and her parents.

Anna Lee was the oldest of three siblings, she is survived by her two brothers, Darrell Shay and Tony Shay Moon Elk. She is survived by her sons, Vonley and Lael, numerous nieces and nephews along with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Anna Lee was a strong advocate of education and encouraged all those around her to strive to succeed. She had her own style and grace which made her beautiful in every way. She was loved by many and will be missed.

Funeral arrangements are under the family. She will be taken to the Darrell Shay residence on 346 Cemetery Road on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 11:00 am where she will remain for viewing until the prayer service at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 11, 2021 and burial at Gibson Cemetery following the prayer service.

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