ANNE ETKIN (FELDSTEIN)

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ANNE ETKIN (nee FELDSTEIN) Our mom and grandmother, Anne Etkin (nee Feldstein), passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 23 at the age of 92. Mom was predeceased by our dad, Norm, her husband and the love of her life for 46 years, in 1993; by her parents, sister, two brothers; and by Norm's sister, two brothers and in-laws. She is survived by her three sons, Jack (Bev), Mark (Gloria) and Laurie (Karen), her six loving grandchildren, Jordana, Diandra, Kelly, Michael, Maressa and Morgan; her sister-in-law Simma Etkin, and many nieces and nephews. Anne lived life on her own terms right up to the end of her life. She lived on her own, doing her own cooking, cleaning, and until recently, driving (to shop for herself and her friends), until she was admitted to Seven Oaks Hospital one month ago. She was an independent thinker and was not afraid to voice her own opinions, no matter who she was talking to and no matter the subject. She knew what was going on in the worlds of politics, the economy, entertainment and religion and loved to have spirited discussions with her sons, her friends and the friends of her sons about any and all topics, regardless of what others thought. In her youth, Anne was an avid tennis player. In the 1930's she helped her dad run his coal business on Dufferin Avenue in Winnipeg's north end. Anne had a good head for math and played a mean game of bridge (something she passed on to her son, Mark, and her grandson, Michael) and she became an American Contract Bridge League Life Master in 1979. She taught bridge as a volunteer at various levels for many years and played in numerous tournaments, locally, nationally and internationally. None of her partners or opponents were ever spared her constructive criticism , no matter how good or bad they were (including Omar Shariff when he visited Winnipeg many years ago). Anne was active in the Women's Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion as part of Norm's activities in The Legion and she received a Certificate of Merit from the Jewish War Veterans of Canada for her involvement in that organization. The Etkin boys had the distinct pleasure of growing up on Polson Bay during their formative years and Anne and Norm were always more than happy to welcome all of their sons' friends into their home before and after street hockey games, football games and baseball games played in the Bay. Our friends always felt welcome in our parents' home and there was always enough food, games and discussion for everyone. We are lucky to have been raised by such loving parents. We would like to thank Anne's home care workers, especially Lauren, who cooked Anne her favourite foods; all of the staff on Floor 3, Unit 2 at the Seven Oaks General Hospital; and Kildonan Medical Centre and Dr. Andrew Cooke, who always provided Anne with excellent and respectful care. They all made Anne's last few weeks very comfortable. Anne's funeral service will be held at Chesed Shel Emes Chapel at 1023 Main St. at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 28, with interment to follow at the Hebrew Sick Cemetery on north McPhillips St. (near Swailes Ave.) Cantor Gerry Daien will officiate. A meal of condolence will be held at The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, located across from and attached to the Winnipeg International Airport Terminal, following interment. All are welcome. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Canadian Museum For Human Rights, Winnipeg Harvest or to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 27, 2008