A Mother’s Day Toast to Our Matriarch, Anna Cassalia Thackray

At Thackray Crane, Mother’s Day isn’t just a holiday on the calendar — it’s a moment to reflect on the powerful legacy of the woman who helped build not just our family, but the values that continue to shape our company today. This Mother’s Day, we raise a heartfelt toast to Anna Cassalia Thackray — the original pillar of strength behind the Thackray name.

Anna Cassalia Thackray was so much more than the wife of our founder, Walter Thackray. She was his partner in every sense of the word — in life, in love, and in business. At a time when women were rarely seen in roles of influence in the workplace, Anna was already there, leading with quiet authority, compassion, and resilience. She was the steady hand and the soft heart behind the early days of our company.

While Walter built cranes and laid the foundation for the business, Anna built a home full of grit, grace, and unwavering support. She was the mother of six children and still managed to run the business from home, cultivating and growing relationships with customers that would become the backbone of our early success. Whether it was managing the books, keeping operations on track, or being the voice of encouragement during the toughest times, Anna’s contribution was immeasurable.

She taught us that strength isn’t just measured in steel or horsepower. It’s measured in the quiet moments of sacrifice, in the late nights spent worrying and working, and in the endless well of love a mother gives to her family. That spirit of dedication lives on in every crane lift, every project we take on, and every employee who calls Thackray Crane home.

Anna’s legacy is still very much a part of our story. Her values — family first, hard work, humility, and faith — are stitched into the fabric of who we are. Her influence is seen in the generations of Thackrays who continue to run this company, in the camaraderie among our crew, and in the pride we take in serving our customers like family.

So this Mother’s Day, we don’t just celebrate mothers in general — we honor our mother. The Thackray mother. The one who showed us how to lead with heart.

To Anna Cassalia Thackray: thank you for building the foundation we continue to stand on. Your love and strength echo in every corner of this company.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the incredible moms — past and present — whose love continues to shape the world.

With gratitude,
The Thackray Crane Family