ANNE DOWBIGGIN (KOREN)

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ANNE DOWBIGGIN (nee KOREN) On August 13, 2008, in her 105th year, our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Great-Great-Grandmother died at the Sharon Home. She began her remarkable journey in Russia, leaving from the port of Odessa with her parents and siblings for North America at the age of two months. The family decided to stay in Winnipeg, where they had Koren relatives, and began a modest dairy farm in what is now West Kildonan, until death from pneumonia took her father at the age of 33. Her mother soldiered on, raising six children on her own, the youngest of whom, Max was only three months old. My mother, of necessity became a responsible person at a very young age, yet embodied the duality of being born under the sign of Gemini, The Twins She was, at once, pragmatic, determined, and, an incurable romantic who loved music, dancing, movies, and Chinese Food. She met my father at a country wedding, and, he an Englishman via England and Montreal was immediately smitten by her glamour and her marvelous dancing. She was intrigued by his ever present ascot, and robin's egg blue eyes. They embarked on a sometimes tempestuous 60 year love affair, marked by two World Wars, the 1918 Flu, and a crippling Depression. Her indomitable spirit will live on in the many lives she touched with her grace, and rapier like wit. Her daughter and son-in-law, her remaining friends, and her many devoted caregivers. Special mention must be given to her granddaughter Willow, who devoted so much time and care to her grandmother. My mother looked forward to her visits and talked about them for days after. The staff at The Sharon Home South, notably Helen, Brenda, Dimples , Betty and Lloyd, who exhibited exemplary skills, and warmth receive our sincere thanks. Marta Rivera, whom my mother loved as one of her own, made the last bit of her life much more bearable. Our love and thanks. A bench at Assiniboine Park will be dedicated to the memory of my Parents, George and Anne Dowbiggin -- and if on some summer night, one should hear the strains of Alice Blue Gown hovering around said bench, it is just The Old Folks - young again, and still dancing. Donations to The Sharon Home, or to The Anne Dowbiggin Fund at the Jewish Foundation would be appreciated. We will miss her

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2008