Anne was born in Logan, Utah, on July 23, 1931, to George Earl and Jennie Lemon McDonald. Her family was happy and loving, encouraging her in her life's passion: the piano.
Anne studied under Professor Irving Wasserman and won the prestigious Grieg Concerto State Competition at the age of 15, but more importantly, found her place in life and her sense of self at the keyboard.
While attending Utah State University, Anne met Gaylord Allen McCallson on the steps of Old Main; Gaylord declared to a friend at that moment that he was going to marry that girl. After only three weeks, they were engaged. They married on June 17, 1954, in the Logan Temple.
Anne and Gaylord were blessed with three children, Julie, Ted, and Nancy. Gaylord's career in the Air Force had the family moving frequently, but everywhere they went, Anne involved herself with music, teaching piano lessons and accompanying musicians in both church and the community. A highlight in Anne's life was twice living in the Azores, Portugal, with her family.
In 1965, Anne was featured as a soloist with the Air Force Band, who came to Logan and with whom she performed her signature piece, Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor.
In 1978, the McCallsons retired to Salt Lake City, where Anne continued to teach piano lessons, accompany musical performers, and perform at her church. She also enjoyed many vacations, cruises, camping trips, baseball games, and movie nights with her children and grandchildren.
Anne was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held many callings throughout the years, usually involving playing the piano or organ.
Anne is survived by her husband, Gaylord McCallson, and her two daughters: Julie (David) Dixon and Nancy Crockett. She will also be greatly missed by her grandchildren: Stacy Dixon, Daniel (Amy) Dixon, Benjamin Dixon, Michael (Emily) Dixon, Emma (Sebastian) Sturdevant, and Claire (Edward) McConkie.
She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Jennie McDonald; her siblings, George McDonald and Doris Boyson; and her son, Ted McCallson.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 6, at 11:00 am at the Olympus 1st Ward Chapel, 4100 Camille St., Holladay, Utah, 84124. Friends may attend a viewing there at 10:00 am prior to the funeral service. She will be interred at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah.
