ANNE LEWICKI

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ANNE LEWICKI (ZANEWICH) 1919-2015 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of dear Anne Lewicki of Renwer, Manitoba on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at the age of 95 years. Anne was born in Sclater, Manitoba on December 17, 1919. She was the fourth oldest of twelve children born to Frederick and Anastasia Zanewich. At age thirteen she completed Grade 8, and stayed at home and helped on the family farm. As a youth, Anne enjoyed playing baseball and she was the team's pitcher. At fifteen years of age, she went to Garland to work for a family who had a store. She earned $3.50 for a three week period. Her next job was working for Mary and Nick Perchaluk, who had the Sclater store. They had an outdoor oven where 25 loaves of bread were baked at a time. Anne earned $8.00 a month at this job. In 1942, she completed a home making course in Sifton. Then in 1943 she came to Renwer to work for Tony Lewicki's parents. When she got off the bus in Renwer, Tony picked her up with his Harley Davidson motorcycle. Later, when they were courting they travelled by motorcycle. There were times when it wouldn't start, so Anne would push it to start it. Anne married Tony and they had five children. Anne was a hardworking woman who worked alongside her husband, Tony. Early in their marriage, Anne tended to the farm chores while Tony operated a sawmill in the Duck Mountains. She found fulfillment in planting large gardens and preserving and pickling the produce. Anne always had fresh homemade bread on hand for family, visitors, and hired men. She kept many chickens and took pride in selling eggs. Anne had a talent for baking and canning. This was proven at the annual fair where she always entered and won numerous prizes. Anne loved all animals. Her hens, dogs and cats were very important to her. She kept up-to-date on family news by talking on the phone to her sisters and other family members. Keeping close connections with the family either near or far was very important to Anne. Anne loved music and dancing. She enjoyed playing old time tunes on the harmonica and knew all the old time dances. Anne enjoyed attending dances and other social events such as picnics and bingo nights. For Halloween, she had fun dressing up in costume, always having impressive ideas for herself and Tony. She also enjoyed handicrafts, like sewing, crocheting, and knitting. Community was important to Anne. She served as a 4-H leader for many years. Anne was involved with the Renwer Roman Catholic Church. She acted as president of the Renwer Catholic Women's League. Anne was proud to become the owner of the Catholic Church located near the family farm. Anne was a wonderful woman. She was a loving, gentle, peaceful person. Anne was known for her great sense of humour and quick wit. She included everybody and didn't want anyone to be left out. She respected and cared for everyone. Everyone was equal. She was a very special person to a lot of people. Anne loved her whole family and she had a special place in her heart for her granddaughters. Anne lived on the family farm with her son, Brian. A week before her passing she was drying dishes, cleaning eggs and putting them into cartons, playing the harmonica, singing songs and speaking Ukrainian. She was interested in life right to the end. Anne's life spanned nearly a century. She saw many changes in the world. She was a pioneer, she experienced a world war, lived through difficult times, and always made the best of it in her calm, gracious way. Anne was predeceased by her husband, Tony, her sons, Emil and Darius, her sisters, Pearl and Dorothy, her brothers, Pete, Paul, Harry, and Steve. Left to mourn her passing are her children; Brian, Gloria, and Florian (Marlene); her grandchildren, Jen (Andrew) (great-grandchildren Rosa and Georgia), Carleen (Ryan) and Brydget; her sisters Mary, Olga, Vicki, Nel, and Joan; sisters-in-law Vicki and Liz as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, and her special longtime friend, Elmer Zaretzky. A funeral service was held on October 17, 2015. Interment took place at the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery, in Renwer. Pallbearers were Darcy Zanewich, Gary Zanewich, Randy Zanewich, David Bezak, Jason McPhee, and Clayton McPhee. Should friends so desire, donations in Anne's memory may be made to the Swan Valley Animal Protection League, Box 2735, Swan River, MB, R0L 1Z0. Swan Valley Funeral Services Ltd. 204-734-5775

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 31, 2015