Mom ended her lengthy battle with dementia on February 27th, her 92nd birthday. 

She was born in Ethelbert in 1934 to Marie and Joseph Kshywiecki.  The family farm at Pulp River was where she grew up with her 9 siblings.  Growing up on the farm meant hard work.  At a young age they helped tend to the small herd of cows, the flock of chickens, as well as help in the large garden.  It was a time of few conveniences.  There was no electricity, or running water and most of the outdoor work was done by hand. 

But, when she reflected on those times, Mom had many fond memories.  She attended Asquith School which was just kitty corner to their farm.  School concerts, or local dances later on provided great entertainment.  It was a time to have a break, and a good visit with friends and neighbors.  In spring, summer, and fall, Mom spent a lot of time outdoors with her siblings. Every evening, some of them would bring the cows home for the night.  They also picked wild berries, mushrooms, and helped harvest vegetables from the garden, as well as keep the garden free of weeds.  The fruits of their labor were then savored in desserts, meals, or preserves which they helped prepare.

Mom was a good student, but finances at the time and needing her to be help on the farm and care for her younger siblings did not allow her to further her education.  Thus, she was unable to fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse.

When she eventually left home, she worked in Winnipegosis, in Winnipeg for a short time, and then back to Winnipegosis.  It was there that she met my Dad.  They were married on October 12th, 1955.  Shortly after their wedding, Mom went to cook in the lumber camps where Dad worked along the shores of Lake Winnipegosis.

In 1957, they made their big move to Flin Flon. Sad thoughts of leaving her family and having to get their car towed through The Bog by a cat, caused Mom to cry a good part of the trip.  At first, they rented apartments on Hapnot St., Steventon Blvd., and Bellvue Ave., before settling into their long time home on Steventon Blvd.  Both my brother Michael and I were born within a few years of their arrival in Flin Flon.  The Steventon neighborhood was a great place where many lifelong friendships were made.  There were many card games with neighbors that would go on into the early morning hours.

Mom soon got over her feelings of sadness and fear of the unknown and embraced life in her new location. She was a home maker until I was in school.  She always cooked delicious meals and baked cookies and snacks while keeping Michael and I out of mischief.  Since she always wanted us to do our best, she was strict about school work. Instilling good values was important to her. 

Mom and Dad became active members of St. Ann’s parish not long after their arrival.  She was an active member of the CWL and served many executive positions as well as contributing many volunteer hours to the League over the years.  Mom also served on the hospital board for several years, as well as volunteering at tag days, door to door canvassing for different organizations and delivering meals on wheels.  She was recognized for her volunteer work with many certificates and pins.

Because our home was located close to Johnny’s Confectionary, it was a natural place for Mom to work since she didn’t drive at the time. Working at Johnny’s was an occupation that she enjoyed for many years.

Her love of the outdoors remained with her always. Our family would go on day fishing trips almost every weekend summer and winter.  We would also pick wild berries that were plentiful nearby.  She also had a wonderful sense of adventure, taking up driving and swimming lessons in her 40’s.

Family was especially important to Mom.  She was thrilled when her grandchildren started arriving.  Always willing to drop everything and help out with their care if needed. Camping at Iskwasum Landing was a yearly summer tradition. It was a time that we all looked forward to as a meeting place to reconnect and make some great memories. Her camp cooking was unmatched. The days were spent fishing, water skiing and the evenings playing cards.  Whenever sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews or any other friends or relatives came to visit, Mom always enjoyed their company and tried to treat them royally as she appreciated them so much.  Mom and Dad always would go out of their way to attend school concerts, church celebrations or graduations of their grandchildren. They also enjoyed attending weddings and anniversaries even if they had to travel some distance.

Quilting was an activity that Mom excelled in.  It was something that she didn’t take up till later, but made up for lost time when she did.  She delighted in the company of her fellow quilters and produced may treasured articles.

Travelling was always a welcome experience. They went to the East and West coasts, the Yukon and Alaska, Hawaii, and in their retirement years, spent part of their winters in Osoyoos, B.C.

We were then devastated by her dementia diagnosis. A few years after she was diagnosed, Mom and Dad moved to our farm near Dauphin so that Clint and I could help with her care.  Mom and I would go for many walks and she enjoyed going out to see the cows when we were doing chores. 

She was able to remain on the farm for a couple of years before the Dauphin Personal Care Home became her new home.  Many of the staff enjoyed her personality and said that she was very easy going.  It always brought her a smile when she recognized a familiar face that came to visit.  She welcomed her great grandchildren Jaedyn and Haylie with open arms and always took pleasure in visits from all her grandchildren.  Her granddaughter Gerri was able to visit fairly regularly and would spend time with her doing puzzles, or taking her outside in the courtyard for a bit of fresh air.

Even well into the progression of her disease, Mom continued to instill values in us.  She taught us a lot about patience, humility, compassion and empathy.

Mom was predeceased by her husband Mike, son Micheal, sisters Helen (Alex), Adeline (Peter), brothers Tony (Marion), Frank, Walter, and Albert, nephews Terry and Vaughn, as well as many brothers in law and sisters in law.

She is survived by her daughter Marlene (Clint), grandchildren Gerri (Steven), Michael (Jayme), Daniel (Madison) and great grandchildren Jaedyn, Haylie, Barry and Bonnie. Sisters Jean, Joann, Fran, and sister in law Sr. Germain (Rose) Chrupalo OSB.

Mom would not want us to mourn her loss.  She would like it if everyone would spend some time with someone with dementia and their family.

She will be missed.

A Funeral Mass was held on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. from St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Flin Flon, Manitoba, Father Paul Bringleson officiated.  Interment took place in the Flin Flon Hillside Cemetery.

Should friends so desire, donations in Anne's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba.