May 21, 1942 — Sep 18, 2026
Anna M. (MacGauley) Chambers, 84, a longtime resident of Reading, passed away at her home on Friday, September 18, 2026, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was the beloved wife of the late Charles “Reggie” Chambers, who passed away in 2021. Born and raised in Arlington, Anna was the daughter of the late Charles and the late Victoria (Viola) MacGauley. Anna enjoyed babysitting in her home for local families before returning to work as a Housekeeping Supervisor for Courtyard by Marriott. She took great pride in being a grandmother and loved every opportunity to babysit for her grandchildren, especially the years spent caring for her granddaughter Madison. Anna looked forward to the time spent together with her family, long car rides with Reggie up the coast of Maine and stopping for ice cream or lobster rolls. She treasured the simple moments of being surrounded by the people she loved and shared a special friendship with her longtime friend and neighbor, Karen. In recent conversations, Anna recalled the years when she was part of a bowling league with her sisters-in-law, Tiny and Beverly, and when she would go flea marketing with her sister-in-law Paula. She enjoyed sharing those memories along with other memories of cookouts and get-togethers with the whole family and talking about the good times they all had together.
Anna is survived by her three sons and one daughter: Stephen E. Chambers of Peabody, and his fiancée Melissa More; Lisa A. Varney of East Kingston, NH; Michael C. Chambers of Wells, ME; and Kevin J. Chambers and his wife Jean of Methuen. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Stephen Chambers and his wife Tiffany, Madison Chambers, Katelyn, Amanda, Abigail, and Allison Varney, and Baxter Chambers and his mom, Stephanie Doyle; and one great-granddaughter, Riley Jade Chambers. In addition to her husband Reggie, Anna was predeceased by two brothers, the late Charles “Sonny” MacGauley and the late John MacGauley; and one sister, the late Eleanor Bavin.
Visiting hours will be at the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (cor. of Woburn St.) Reading on Thursday, September 24 from 4:00-8:00pm. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, September 25 at 11:00 am, followed by burial at the Wood End Cemetery in Reading.
Contributions in Anna’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, 3 Speen St., Suite 250, Framingham, MA 01701. (American Cancer Society) For directions and online guestbook visit www.douglassfuneralhome.com
