ANNA MARIA BEVERLEY (ASTROM / REPO)

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ANNA MARIA BEVERLEY (ASTROM / REPO) With sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of Anna Maria Beverley. After a courageous battle with a lengthy illness, Anna finally found peace on Sunday, July 30, 2006. Anna leaves to mourn her loving husband William (Bill) Beverley; her son Wayne Repo, wife Debbie, and daughter Carly; her daughter June Wiebe and husband Scott. Anna was born on October 5, 1927 in a modest home on Kate Street in Winnipeg. She was a tiny baby only weighing only two pounds and her first cradle was a dresser drawer. In those days it was a small miracle that a baby that small would survive. Anna's parents Erik and Tyyne Aström were immigrants from Finland who arrived in Winnipeg during the early 1920's. To make ends meet during the depression, Anna's parents ran a boarding house where they welcomed many new Finnish immigrants. As years passed by the Aström's moved around the city still keeping their doors wide open to newcomers. Anna's first paying job was at Sherbrook Motors where she pumped gas and drove the tow truck. Later she worked as a long distance telephone operator at the Manitoba Telephone System on Daly Street. In those days the operators worked on the old cord-boards. In the early 1950's Anna left the telephone company; married her first husband Esko Repo in 1952, and gave birth to her two children, June and Wayne. After the marriage ended Anna returned to work at the Manitoba Telephone System in 1967, but this time as a directory assistance operator. It wasn't long before she was promoted to a supervisory position on the midnight shift. In 1973 while working at MTS, Anna met the true love of her life, Bill Beverley. From that day forward Anna and Bill couldn't be separated. They married in 1976 and enjoyed travelling together, participating in events held at the Scandinavian Centre and playing darts, pool and bingo at the Osborne Street Legion. Anna also enjoyed doing crafts and would spend many hours making Christmas decorations, butterflies and fridge magnets. Eleanor Anderson, one of Anna's closest friends recalls how great her Finnish meat pies tasted. When Anna and Bill would visit the Anderson's at their cottage in Lac du Bonnet, Roy and Eleanor would find a clandestine spot to eat Anna's meat pies so they wouldn't have to share them with the other guests. The family would like to extend their gratitude and deepest appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, and other team members on 4B at the St. Boniface Hospital who cared for Anna during her lengthy illness. All of you, and you know who you are, treated Anna with respect and dignity and gave her comfort during her troubled times. We express our thanks to all of Anna's friends who visited her in the hospital and for all of the supportive telephone calls, letters and emails. All of you gave us comfort through this difficult time. A celebration of Anna's life will be held on Friday, August 4 at 1:00 p.m., Neil Bardal Inc., 984 Portage Avenue, Aubrey Street entrance. A private family burial will be held prior to the memorial service. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 02, 2006