It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother on August 13, 2018 after a sudden illness. Predeceased by her parents Eleanor and Fred Wilson, sister Patricia, brother David, great grandchild Cordelia and husband Jack McDonald. She is lovingly remembered by her children Joan (John), Michael (Kerry), Dianne (Brian) and Maureen (Brett); her grandchildren Gwyneth (Kevin), Robert (Danielle), Mary (Dallas), Isaac (Katelyn), Grace (Jared), David (Emily), Ian (Rowan), Brian (Emily), William, Sarah, Abigail, Bree, Isabel and Rori; her great grandchildren James, Ben, Zander, Isla, Joseph and Atticus; her brothers Jim and Robert ; her sisters-in-law Margaret, Mae and Irene and many nieces and nephews.
Anne was born in Pincher Creek, Alberta where her parents homesteaded. She began her education in a one room log schoolhouse and went on to receive her RN from Royal Jubilee Hospital School of Nursing in 1953 where she then worked on the maternity ward. She left nursing to have her children but later continued her education as a mature student at Camosun College and worked for many years as a dental receptionist.
Anne loved to garden and showed a keen intelligence with respect to learning all the proper Latin names for all plants. She loved landscaping and cultivating her own garden, as well as admiring other gardens. She was fascinated by the colour and scent of plants and how to use those plants to create a tapestry. She volunteered as a gardener at Government House in the nursery and was a member of the Gordon Head Garden Club and the Victoria Horticultural Society since 1986.
Anne was a devoted member of the congregation of St Luke’s Anglican Church and was a mainstay at the 8:00 am service. She served on the church Parish Council and was responsible for the rock gardens that surrounded the church.
In her later years, Anne took up painting watercolours of her beloved plants. She was an experienced seamstress, loved to read and follow the antics of the Royal family. She was warm, witty, kind and quick with a self-deprecating story or laugh. She was also incredibly humble and private.
Above all, Anne was a devoted and thoughtful matriarch to a large family. She never missed an occasion, an event, a celebration or a birthday, and hosted many of them. She delighted in her ever-growing family. She will be deeply missed.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Luke’s Church on August 22, 2018 at 12:30 pm with tea to follow at the Parish Hall.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Caren Helbing and Dennis Churchill
Sorry to hear about your mom, Maureen. She was a wonderful lady. Dennis enjoyed meeting her when Bree, Rori, and Caris were little in the St. Luke’s Church garden.
Dennis, Caren, Caden, and Caris