ANNETTE MARIE SKENE

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ANNETTE MARIE SKENE September 16, 2005 With deep sadness we announce the passing of Annette Marie Skene, age 69. Annette will be profoundly missed by her husband, Reg, and by her children: Cathy Stephens (Alvin), Rick Skene (Janice), Anita Skene (William Rhoda), Robert Skene (Kirk Williams), Craig Skene (Jennifer Kilimnik), and by her grandchildren: Daniel and Sean Skene, William and Brett Rhoda and Leanne and Bradley Stephens. Annette included in her immediate family, niece Louise Smith (Hussein Dostmohamed) and their children Sophie and Joseph, whom she adopted in her heart. Predeceased by parents Marie and Woodrow Smith, brother Lionel, and sister Verla, Annette is survived by her siblings, Gerald, Lorraine, Neil, Leonard, Vivian, Bernice, Debbie and Ron. Born on November 19, 1935 in Laurier, Manitoba, Annette was proud of her rural roots and the large family of eleven children whom she regarded not just as brothers and sisters but as her friends. Annette moved to Winnipeg as a young adult, where she met Reg. They married in 1956 and began their own family. Annette was very close to her mother and would take her five children on regular visits to Laurier. Annette loved deeply the Skene Clan of Oxdrift, Ontario, particularly her dear friend and sister-in-law, Alta. She was strongly bonded to many of her nieces and nephews and was a devoted Grandma. Babies were her favourite people. A touchstone to many, Annette was a woman of great strength, delicate nature and scathing wit, who lived and loved fully. She loved to travel, dividing her journeys between visiting loved ones and seeing the world. Annette was in her element in her own home. Hospitality and making people feel welcome was her highest priority. Her warmth of character, uncompromising integrity, and generosity of spirit were evident to all. Her magic kitchen could produce amazing meals for twelve without notice, legendary coffee, and was the constant centre of celebration. Annette -- wife, mother, grandma, auntie and friend -- our pain may ease with time but our love will last forever. A memorial service will take place at 1 p.m. Monday September 26th at the Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway. If you wish, flowers may be sent to Thomson Funeral Home or a donation made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 24, 2005