ANNA MARGARET HATFIELD (SONNICHSEN)

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ANNA MARGARET HATFIELD (nee SONNICHSEN) Peacefully on Saturday, January 20, 2007, Anna passed away at the St. Boniface General Hospital at the age of 88 years. Remaining to forever cherish Anna's memory are her sons, Charles and John; her brothers, William and Carl; sisters-in-law, Jeane, Gertie and Agnes; nieces and nephews, Joanne, Paul, Leslie, Gordon, Allen, Kenneth, Joy, Carol, Blair, Frieda, Sharon, Ron, Stuart, Bob, Janet, John and Arlene, and her special friend Diane who spent so many hours at her bedside in the hospital. She was predeceased by her loving husband Charles; her mother and father, William and Anna, and her brother Helmut. Born on February 9, 1918 in Berlin, Germany, Anna and her family came to Canada in 1925 first living in Niverville, then Charleswood and moving to Headingley in 1927 where she spent the rest of her life. She attended Phoenix School where she made many close friendships that lasted till this day. In 1929 Annie was presented an award by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for rescuing a boy from drowning in the Assiniboine River. As she grew up she helped her parents and brothers in their business, Sonnichsen Transportation. She loved going to church and teaching Sunday School. Annie married Charles Albert Hatfield on July 28, 1948. Charlie built a house on Rodney Street in Headingley. He farmed and was caretaker at Phoenix School. They had two sons, Charles and John to whom she was always a loving and dedicated mother and best friend. When her husband became very ill, Annie cared for him for five years until his death in 1964. While he was ill she took over his caretaking job at the school. Attending the Manitoba Institute of Technology, now Red River Community College, in 1967 Annie obtained a Pre-School Education Certificate. From 1968 to 1970, she taught Kindergarten in St. Francois Xavier Public School. When Annie's teaching permit ran out in 1970, she went to the University of Winnipeg and in 1971 to the University of Manitoba and earned her teaching certificate. In 1972, she began teaching Grades IV and V at Phoenix School in Headingley and remained there until her retirement in 1984. Annie loved teaching in Headingley and kept contact with many of her students for the rest of her life. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 1984, Annie needed an operation and with the help of God, conquered the disease, which never returned. When she recovered she attended the University of Manitoba taking a few courses every year and obtained a degree in Fine Arts. Annie painted many beautiful pictures at this time. She continued taking more courses from the university for many years. Annie belonged to Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Headingley. She taught Sunday school for many years. At times she played the piano at Sunday School and the organ at church. When Annie was a girl, Miss Jessie Taylor was her Sunday School Teacher. Annie is grateful to Miss Taylor for teaching her, We have an advocate in heaven, Jesus Christ, who died for our mistakes and because of this we will inherit everlasting life. On Thursday, January 25, Annie's funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 5335 Portage Avenue, Headingley, Manitoba with Rev. Ian Peterson and Rev. Carlyle Murrell - Cole officiating. Interment will follow in the Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, Headingley, Manitoba. Pallbearers will be Messrs. Wayne Harnden, Jack Turner, Neil Sander, Ken Sonnichsen, Ron Sonnichsen, and John Hatfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Annie's memory to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 5335 Portage Avenue, Headingley, Manitoba. Annie's arrangements have been entrusted to the Family Owned Funeral Chapel of: WOJCIK'S ALL BELIEFS FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM 897 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 23, 2007