Anne passed away with family by her side on January 12, 2018. She was born in Bass River, (Bathurst) New Brunswick on December 28, 1928 in the family farmhouse. Her passions included nursing, her church, caring for others and especially for her family. She found great joy spending time outdoors in nature, and riding her bicycle.
After graduating from nursing school in 1949, Anne’s career included General, Private and ER positions at hospitals in Bathurst NB, New York City, Toronto, Welland and Brantford ON. Her final placement was in Belleville ON. It was there, on a blind date, that she met Howie Norquay, who became the love of her life. They married on December 5, 1959 and were posted to a number of domestic and foreign air force bases with the RCAF. Sidney, BC is where they laid down roots and purchased their first house in 1971, and raised a very close-knit family. By all accounts, Mum was the epitome of Motherhood.
Now Anne joins Howie, who left her side in April 2014, and they are united in eternal love. Anne is survived by her 4 children and 10 grandchildren – Joanne Abbott (Roger – Brendan, Christopher, Matthew), Beth Reid (Wayne – Sterling, Noah, Katrina), Ron Norquay (Marla – Emma, Graham) and Cheryl Graham (Grant – Justin, Robynn), her sister Odis (Odie) Branch, as well as many adoring nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Anne was a long-time parishioner at St. Andrew Anglican Church and through her unwavering devotion and volunteer work in both her church and in the community, she touched many lives. She will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Andrew Anglican Church in Sidney, BC at 2:00 pm on Monday, February 12, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Andrew Anglican Church (Altar Guild), The Mt. Newton Centre Society, or Operation Smile are greatly appreciated.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Nancy Branch
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Beth Love you Mom. It was an honour being by your side during your journey. Give Dad a big hug for me. You have a large piece of my heart and you have given me many examples of what a mom means and what a good person means as well.
You will be missed by so many but especially by me.
Aunt Anne:
I didn’t have a favourite aunt, but if I did, it would be you. You were such a power-packed wee spit of a woman, with a heart as big as the sky. And as my dad often said of you, “Don’t want to get on the wrong side of Anne. She sure can pack a punch.” I knew you could be that way, but I never saw it except in relation to your family, whom you loved with a fierce loyalty that knew no bounds. I can still see you wheeling away from the house on your bicycle, sure and deliberate in your purpose for the day. May God open heaven’s gates wide to admit you because you will be riding with abandon now that earth’s constraints are gone. I love you, Aunt Anne. I love you, I love you.