REBECCA (BECKY) LIVINGSTONE ANDERSON (DICKSON)

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REBECCA (BECKY) LIVINGSTONE ANDERSON (nee DICKSON) January 10, 1918 September 8, 2006 Rebecca (Becky) Anderson slipped peacefully away from this life on Friday, September 8, 2006, at Red River Valley Lodge in Morris. Becky was the third and last child of Robert Dickson and Barbara Hogg, who farmed northwest of Morris. Becky's father died in 1931 when she was only 13, and the farm was carried on by her mother Barbara, and her brothers, Jack and Bill Dickson. Like others of her generation, Becky received her elementary education at a local school Flowery Bank but went to high school only because of her family's commitment to get her there via moving to town, boarding her out, or sending her to the convent at Saint-Jean-Baptiste. She completed a secretarial course at Dominion Business College in Winnipeg and, at the instigation of a cousin, went on to work for the Canadian government in Ottawa and for the British government in Washington, DC during the Second World War. These were exciting times which she often spoke about, along with memories of growing up on the Dickson farm. Back in Manitoba after the war, Becky was recruited to teach school at Flowery Bank for a year (1945-46), and although untrained in teaching, she made an impression on several of her students. On December 4, 1948, Becky married the neighbour boy, Francis Anderson. They were a devoted and loving couple, raising a family of three on farm at NW 10-5-1W, northeast of Lowe Farm. Farm life kept everyone busy, but Francis and Becky always seemed to find time to connect. Unlike Francis, who served on many local boards and even ran for Parliament, Becky had no inclination to go out much, or join organizations, but thanks to reading, CBC radio and later, television, she always seemed up to date on the latest news and views. Having learned to play piano in her youth, she continued playing just for fun, introducing her children to music and making sure we got music lessons, if we wished. She was also the parent most likely to help her children with homework. In the mid-1960s Francis and Becky switched to organic farming and began attending a Sabbath-keeping church in Winnipeg and later in Winkler. Becky was an integral part of Anderson's Organic Grains, running the electric flour mills which made the flour and selling the flour and cereals, selling the mills, doing the books, and welcoming customers into her home where she regularly made whole wheat bread and other products. She and the family, and later just with Francis, enjoyed many trips, and made a large number of friends through church and organic farming/selling organic produce. But a stroke in 1982 and later strokes, pneumonia, congestive heart failure and additional problems robbed Becky of the life she should have lived, given her intelligence and spirit. Francis was always her champion, believing in her ability to understand and participate, even when this was probably not possible. Their love and dedication to each other continued until June 27, 2006, when Francis died of congestive heart failure and other health problems. Becky, a resident of Red River Valley Lodge since 2003, began a final decline which ended about ten weeks after Francis's death. Rebecca (Becky) Livingstone Dickson Anderson was predeceased by her husband Francis Clement Anderson (May 26, 1918-June 27, 2006); parents, Robert Dickson (1878-1931) and Barbara Hogg Dickson (1878-1962); brothers, Jack and Bill; and sister-in-law-Edythe. She is survived by daughters, Barbara (Brian) Shewchuk and DeEtta (David) Ives; son John Anderson; and grandchildren, Adrienne (Richard) Loeppky (great-granddaughters, Jayden and Camryn), Aaron Ives and Jesse Ives; sister-in-law Mildred Dickson; brother-in-law Raymond Anderson; and many nieces and nephews. The family is so grateful for Canada's health care system, and in particular to the staff of Morris General Hospital, Victoria General Hospital and Red River Valley Lodge for the care Mum received in the last few years of her life. Donations in Becky's memory can be made to Red River Valley Lodge or the Morris District Handi-van Service. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 16, at Davidson Memorial Centre, 153 Montreal Avenue E, Morris, MB. Arrangements by Morris Funeral Home.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 14, 2006