ANNE SIMMONS (1919 - 2008)

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ANNE SIMMONS (1919 - 2008) On Friday, February 8, 2008, Anne Simmons of Winnipeg passed away at Seven Oaks Hospital at the age of 88 years. Anne was born Anne Horbachyk on April 23, 1919 to Mary (1900 - 1981) and William Horbachyk (1898 - 1967). Anne would later have two sisters, Sophie (1922 - 1971) and Lovie (1930 - 1990). When Anne was but a young child, she was very fond of her grandfather who immigrated from the Ukraine, Matthew Horbachyk (1860 - 1923) (A.K.A. TAW-TOON-YOU ). She recalled walking with him over the snow and visiting his sick friends. Anne lived all of her life in the North End and West Kildonan. Anne spent her youth taking violin lessons and learning Ukrainian culture at the Ukrainian Labour Temple with her family. One of the highlights of her late teens was working for two years at 363 Elm Street where she was a cook and maid for Florence and John Bird (who was editor of the Tribune). Anne was like family to the Birds. Upon leaving town, Mrs. Bird kept in touch whenever she was passing through Winnipeg on government business. Anne was mentioned in Florence's book about Anne Francis . On October 19, 1940, Anne married John Simmons (also Ukrainian). In 1942, they welcomed their first child, Jo-Anne. Not long afterward, John was stationed in England with the R.C.E.M.E. Corps during The Second World War. Anne would send items overseas to John like cigarettes so that he could trade them with civilians for valuable things he needed. After the war, John and Anne added three new members to their family April (1950), John Jr. (1951) and Tim (1955). In 1951, they moved to West Kildonan where Anne maintained her residence for 56 years. John died suddenly in 1966 and Jo-Anne died because of M.S. in 1974. John Jr. married Elizabeth Wilson later in 1974 and moved to Calgary. Anne's family and children meant the world to her. They were her entire life. Anne had four grandchildren Tammy of B.C. (husband Perry, children Steven and Vanessa), Patrick of Winnipeg (daughter Kendra), Amy of Calgary (husband Patrick) and Paul of Calgary. Anne also leaves her sister-in-law Elsie Simmons of Toronto. Anne was a family-oriented and nurturing person. Anne cared at home for both Jo-Anne (1969 - 1974) as well as her sister Lovie (Down's Syndrome, 1981 - 1987). Anne was a game person for challenges later on in life. She attained her driver's licence at the age of 61. In the 1990s she read the entire Bible twice. Our Mother and Granny was proud of her Ukrainian heritage. Nobody cooked like Mom, her main ingredient was love. The best of all nicknames for Anne was penned by Tammy Gran-Gran . Anne recently expressed her wish that she did not want a formal service even though she was a spiritually-inclined person. Mom associated with the West Kildonan Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in the 1970s. Although she never progressed to baptism, Anne called upon the name of Jehovah throughout her life, even in her final days, because she believed He was the True God. We look forward to the realization of the hope at John 5:28, 29 when worthy ones such as Anne will get a grip on the real life by receiving consideration for a resurrection. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 13, 2008