Anna May Derevjanik, 78, of Cobble Hill, Brooklyn passed away on May 4, 2026 at Staten Island University Hospital following an illness.

Born July 18, 1947 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York, N.Y. to Helen and Michal Derevjanik, Anna was a lifelong resident of Brooklyn, residing in Park Slope, Borough Park and Bensonhurst, before settling in Cobble Hill in 1981. She spent the last year of her life at a rehabilitation center on Staten Island due to mobility issues.

A graduate of Bay Ridge High School, Anna graduated from Hunter College with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Political Science and received a master’s degree in Education from New York University. She worked as a teacher in Brooklyn before moving to the business world in the late 1970s. She spent much of her career working in marketing at the American Management Association. She also worked in sales at Dale Carnegie before retiring. Even while in the business world, Anna worked in areas that allowed her to continue her interest in education.

Anna was a lifelong parishioner at St. Nicholas of Myra Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in the East Village. She was passionate about her family and friends, reading mystery novels and public affairs. Anna was very interested in her faith and ethnic heritage and was a well-regarded member of groups dedicated to these topics, where she has been credited for her expertise.

She is survived by her sister, Kathi Derevjanik Celock of Cranford, N.J., her nephew and godson, John R.D. Celock of Cranford, N.J., along with numerous cousins in the United States. Slovakia, Czechia, Australia, Germany and Canada, and many dear lifelong friends. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother-in-law, Michael D. Celock.

Arrangements are being made by Gray & Pescitelli Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Services and cremation will be private. Per Anna’s wishes. her ashes will be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Coney Island, where she had many fond memories from throughout her life.