ANNE WHITEHURST

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ANNE WHITEHURST On September 10, 2018, Anne passed away at the St. Boniface Hospital, at the age of 80 years. Anne was born in Middlewich, England in 1938. She attended grammar school, and graduated with honours. In 1956, she further trained to run a computer which filled an entire room. Colin and Anne were married in 1958 and completed their family in 1962. Anne then decided to devote her life to serving others, so she became a nurse in 1965. The travel bug started to emerge, so a job was secured in Manitoba in 1968. Deciding to join the fashion industry, in 1971 Anne opened what was likely the first boutique store in Manitoba, if not in Canada. "Anne's Cavern" sold mostly ladies' fashions, guaranteeing Anne a full wardrobe - something she maintained throughout her life. After closing the store in 1974, she trained as a Medical Records Technician to enable the hospital in Portage la Prairie to secure accreditation. In 1978, Anne was selected to be Clinical Anomalies Registrar for Manitoba. She finally retired in 1994 to spend the next 16 years with her husband travelling the world. In 2009, Anne suffered a severe stroke, which may have curtailed her activities but did not take away her zest for life. Anne was a sweet, caring, tender woman who spent her whole life tending to other people's needs, often at the expense of her own. She loved life and spent much of hers, especially in retirement, doing the things she loved like travelling, watching wildlife, planting flowers, and visiting gardens all over North America. Most of all she loved her family, and spent countless hours telling stories, singing songs, and teaching them silly little things like saying the alphabet backwards. Since needing the assistance of a wheelchair, Anne had to adjust her activities, and took to hand-feeding birds at Birds Hill and Assiniboine Park. Even the birds loved this woman; her laughter and her baby blues were things to behold. When you were in the car with Anne you didn't need the radio; she was entertainment enough singing songs (some a little risqué), telling stories (and oh, could she tell them!), and by the little chuckles you knew she was enjoying herself. This world has lost a beautiful person. Anne was loved by all she met, but especially by her husband of 60 years and friend of 66 years, Colin; her son Robert (Sherri) and their family, Alex (Jesse), Nick and Kayla Paige (Geoff); her son Steven (Brittney) and their family, Nick, and baby on the way; lifelong friend Mabel Stewart; and newfound but very good friend Lala. Special thanks is extended to our friends at Comfort Keepers who assisted Anne when she needed help. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Desjardins Funeral Chapel, 357 Des Meurons St. at 2:00 p.m. with viewing commencing at 1:30 p.m. You were always there when we needed you, No task too great or small; With a loving heart and a willing hand For us, you did them all. Thanks for the years you gave us And for the wonderful times we shared. We can only pray that when you left us You knew how much we cared. You're forever in our hearts. Godspeed, my Amby. Have a rest; you've earned it. Desjardins 204-233-4949 1-888-233-4949 www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 15, 2018