Anne passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Nov. 7, 2015, at the age of 65, with family by her side. This was following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer for nearly two and a half years.
She is survived by her loving husband Glen; daughter Robyn (Mike), sons Brett and Bo (Alanna); grandchildren Cory, Justin (Leslie), Nathan, Mia and Keaton; great-grandchildren Haylie and Maria; father Wallace; mother June; siblings Leo (Susan), Bruce (Elnora), Susan, Tracy (Leonard), and Cody; nieces and nephews Shannon, Tiffany, Brittany, Rebekah, Jennifer, Nic, Ashley and Jessica; as well as numerous extended family members.
Anne was born in Edmonton, but grew up and went to school in Calgary, Nelson and Surrey. She lived in B.C. on the mainland for many years as an adult, moved to Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island 1981, then settled in Port Alberni in 1983. She soon fell in love with the Alberni Valley and a few years later opened Flandangles Kitchen and Gifts store. This became her pride and joy and has been in operation for 27 years. Not only was she a successful business owner, she was strongly committed to the community through organizations such as Salmon Fest, Kinettes, Sorority and the Women’s Business Network, to name just a few. She enjoyed spending time on ‘her’ island on Sproat Lake, traveling, camping and, of course, shopping.
She got to many places on her bucket list over the last year or so, including: Portugal (a favourite), France, England, Mexico, Newfoundland, PEI and Nova Scotia. She attended her grandson’s wedding in New Brunswick, visited her Aunt Rosemary in Montreal, stayed in old Quebec City, and earlier this year flew to Alberta to see longtime friend Lorraine and to visit her father. When not running her store, Anne loved being with her family most of all. She was strong-willed, competitive, feisty, fully involved and ever generous. She loved playing (and winning) cribbage, hearts, scrabble, bananagrams and solitaire whenever she could.
A celebration of Anne’s life will be held sometime in the spring of 2016.
In lieu of flowers, donations are greatly appreciated for Ty Watson House, 3088 – 3rd Ave, Port Alberni, BC, V9Y2A5 and/or the BC Cancer Foundation, 686 Broadway #150, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1G1.
Our sincerest gratitude goes to
Wendy Johnsen and Colleen for going above and beyond with Anne’s medical care at home.
We hoped we had more time, but it was not to be. She will be greatly missed but always remembered.