ANNA FIRMAN

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ANNA FIRMAN April 6, 1926 - October 14, 2015 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Anna Firman, on October 14, 2015 at Tuxedo Villa. Anna is survived by her three children, David (Gail Perry), Stewart and Katherine Van Leeuwen (Barry); sister Margaret Matthews (Frank); niece Grace-Evelyn Hlus (Brian) and nephew John Matthews (Judy Ashcroft). She was predeceased by her loving husband Stan; parents Henry and Katherine Chambers; and brother-in-law Murray (Joan). Born Anna Beatrice Chambers in Treherne Manitoba, she relished in her A-B-C initials. They prophesied her lifelong love of reading, learning and teaching. Anna was just 17 years old when, after graduating from high school in 1943, she taught her first classes, on permit, in Matcheville, Manitoba. Anna received her first formal teacher training in Winnipeg, at the Central Normal School from where she graduated in 1945. It was while teaching in Reston, Manitoba that she met Stan, who was then a permit teacher in Selkirk, working between his third and fourth years of study at the University of Manitoba. Anna would join Stan teaching in Selkirk, Manitoba and then join him in marriage in 1951. Over the next 19 years, Anna and Stan raised their children and nurtured Stan's career as a chemist in Toronto and Montreal, then as general manager of an international chemical company in London, Ontario. When Stan died suddenly and unexpectedly in June 1970 the children only 7, 13 and 17 years old Anna moved the family to Winnipeg and courageously confronted life anew. That September, Anna joined her children as a student, enrolling at the University of Winnipeg. At the same time, she taught English at Morse Place Junior High School in the River East School Division. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977 and continued teaching at Morse Place until her retirement in 1989. In subsequent years, Anna travelled to Winnipeg schools as a Winnipeg Art Gallery volunteer, sharing and discussing art pieces with students, and she finally learned to play golf, which she doggedly pursued weekly. Anna never forgot her formative years with sister Margaret in rural Manitoba and fondly recounted stories of their father's horsemanship and mother's business acumen. She supported her children's talents and delighted in their academic, professional and personal successes. Anna was interested in the welfare of others and was always ready and available to help. The family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers of Tuxedo Villa where Anna lived these past three years the doctors, nurses, aides, recreational staff and companions. Anna's life will be celebrated on Monday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Avenue (opposite Red River Exhibition Park). In Anna's memory, friends may choose to donate to a favourite charity. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715
Publish Date: Oct 19, 2015

ANNA FIRMAN April 6, 1926 - October 14, 2015 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Anna Firman, on October 14, 2015 at Tuxedo Villa. Anna is survived by her three children, David (Gail Perry), Stewart and Katherine Van Leeuwen (Barry); sister Margaret Matthews (Frank); niece Grace-Evelyn Hlus (Brian) and nephew John Matthews (Judy Ashcroft). She was predeceased by her loving husband Stan; parents Henry and Katherine Chambers; and brother-in-law Murray (Joan). Born Anna Beatrice Chambers in Treherne Manitoba, she relished in her A-B-C initials. They prophesied her lifelong love of reading, learning and teaching. Anna was just 17 years old when, after graduating from high school in 1943, she taught her first classes, on permit, in Matcheville, Manitoba. Anna received her first formal teacher training in Winnipeg, at the Central Normal School from where she graduated in 1945. It was while teaching in Reston, Manitoba that she met Stan, who was then a permit teacher in Selkirk, working between his third and fourth years of study at the University of Manitoba. Anna would join Stan teaching in Selkirk, Manitoba and then join him in marriage in 1951. Over the next 19 years, Anna and Stan raised their children and nurtured Stan's career as a chemist in Toronto and Montreal, then as general manager of an international chemical company in London, Ontario. When Stan died suddenly and unexpectedly in June 1970 the children only 7, 13 and 17 years old Anna moved the family to Winnipeg and courageously confronted life anew. That September, Anna joined her children as a student, enrolling at the University of Winnipeg. At the same time, she taught English at Morse Place Junior High School in the River East School Division. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1977 and continued teaching at Morse Place until her retirement in 1989. In subsequent years, Anna travelled to Winnipeg schools as a Winnipeg Art Gallery volunteer, sharing and discussing art pieces with students, and she finally learned to play golf, which she doggedly pursued weekly. Anna never forgot her formative years with sister Margaret in rural Manitoba and fondly recounted stories of their father's horsemanship and mother's business acumen. She supported her children's talents and delighted in their academic, professional and personal successes. Anna was interested in the welfare of others and was always ready and available to help. The family wishes to thank the compassionate caregivers of Tuxedo Villa where Anna lived these past three years the doctors, nurses, aides, recreational staff and companions. Anna's life will be celebrated on Monday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn, 4000 Portage Avenue (opposite Red River Exhibition Park). In Anna's memory, friends may choose to donate to a favourite charity. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715
Publish Date: Oct 17, 2015

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 19, 2015