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ANNE ORLIKOW Obituary pic

ANNE ORLIKOW

Date of Passing: Jun 25, 2021

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ANNE ORLIKOW
1932 - 2021

With her customary poise and good humour, Anne "lifted off" peacefully in her home on June 25, 2021, in a cocoon of love, with her children by her side.
Just shy of her 89th birthday, Anne is predeceased by her husband Lionel; sons, Daniel and David; dear sister Rosemary (Harry); brother Peter; and parents, Stella (née Gordon) and Reginald Slavin. Anne is survived by her children, Gordon, Peter, Nancy (Paul), John (Silvia) and Kate (Clayton), as well as many nieces and nephews, and 14 grandchildren.
Lifelong Winnipeggers, Anne and Lionel were match-made by mutual friends who foresaw a unique chemistry between the two. Their mutual dedication to the service of others led them into illustrious careers, Anne's in healthcare as a registered nurse and Lionel's in education. Anne very capably ran a household, raised seven children and worked in emergency and community nursing for many years. Anne loved being a nurse and caring for others.
Anne was notorious for her irreverent humour, fearless sense of adventure, playfulness and kindness. The Slavin family beauty, she smoked Cuban cigars while dancing barefoot in silk shift dresses at numerous family weddings. Summer vacations saw Anne singlehandedly loading the family station wagon with supplies, children and two St. Bernard dogs and setting out for the family cottage for weeks at a time. Her ability to handle these logistics and be out in the bush picking blueberries the same day was astonishing, as were the pies and jams that we enjoyed through the winter months.
Anne characterized her parenting style as "benign neglect", which meant we were free to roam and explore our interests without interference from her. Her parenting style also led to adventures such as inner-tubing at the hydro dam spillway, a backyard zip-line, occasional underage driving, front yard boxing matches, spontaneous excursions and multiple pets at any given time. More fundamentally, her example of service inspired in large part her children's career choices.
Anne's bright smile and laugh were infectious. The Orlikow household was a bustling hive of activity, with an open door to neighbours and friends. Our three-storey house was always warmly decorated with Anne's handmade creations, particularly her weaving, hooked rugs and wall hangings. Her creative sense of design and aesthetics were on display in our inviting and comfortable home.
Anne was modest and self-deprecating. She eschewed the spotlight and promoted those around her. Her progressive outlook and no-nonsense sensibilities made her a sought-after confidant and co-conspirator for people of all ages. She had a way of engaging people with warmth and ease. Anne remained autonomous until the end, enjoying the privacy and tranquility of her own home with the late Daisy, a massive St. Bernard dog, and her cat Tiko. Anne's cheerful greetings and love for those around her will be sorely missed.
Our family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Sheldon Permack and the WHRA's palliative care unit, all of whom helped make our mom's last months comfortable and dignified.
Interment has taken place. We will have a small private ceremony at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Anne's memory to your chosen community charity.

NEIL BARDAL
FUNERAL CENTRE
WINNIPEG, MB
204-949-2200
neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 10, 2021

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

  • I am grieving the death of Anne. We were roommates In the early years of our time together St B. and had neighboring single Rooms. I also knew Lionel when they were dating. Anne was my Matron of honor when I got married in Winnipeg in Feb of 1961. My future husband a good friends of St Paul MM stayed at their home. Always gracious hosts. I met all your children when would come up for our Nursing reunions. Anne hated coming to the dinner but our usual 3 day events were always great fun with much laughter as you can expect with you Mom' s presence. Our classmate in Calgary Sheila Black called me with the news. My sympathy to all the Orlikow family. I met you all when you were children. You are in my thoughts. Your Mom was dear friend and will be missed. Sincerely Eileen Stack in St Paul MN. - Posted by: Eileen Stack (nee Jacyk) (room mate in nursing at /st Boniface Hospital) on: Aug 15, 2021

  • My sincere condolences to Anne’s family on her passing. I got to know Anne as a neighbour on Yale Avenue. The Orlikow household was a vibrant and bustling place and Anne seemed to take all of it in stride. She was kind and generous and always had time for a chat on the front lawns of the street. Her smile was infectious and there was never a subject that Anne wouldn’t engage in conversation about. I know the world is a bit smaller without her in it. - Posted by: Avis Gray (Neighbour) on: Jul 12, 2021

  • My parents were close friends of Anne and Lionel's; growing up in the 1970s, I too, enjoyed a childhood of "benign neglect" alongside their children. My memories of playdates with the Orlikow kids, the adult parties we got to stay up late for, the election night celebrations (and defeats) all include Anne's lovingly tolerant, generous and competent presence. As a mother, I don't know how she managed seven kids and a parade of pets, but she somehow did it all with an abundance of love and good humour. She was a vibrant and loving woman and I will always remember her beautiful energy and engaging smile. It felt good just to be around her. I am taking time to remember Anne, and to thank her for the light she shone into our lives. - Posted by: Rachel Donner (Family friend) on: Jul 11, 2021

  • Love to all of the Orlikows. I had the pleasure of knowing this family as a kid growing up, and reunited with Kate as moms ourselves. Anne was always so nice to me and it seemed like we shared an inside joke even though I didn’t know what it was. I bet she made everyone feel that way. ❤️ - Posted by: Terri MacKenzie (Friend of Kate) on: Jul 11, 2021

  • What an incredible obituary! But that's not surprising: Anne was an awesome incredible person. We were fortunate to live 'up the street' from Anne and her wonderful family and while every line of the obituary reflects a different facet of the gem that was Anne for a summation nothing could be finer than the initial statement, "Anne was notorious for her irreverent humour, fearless sense of adventure, playfulness and kindness." The family is to be congratulated for putting 'kindness' at the end as kindness, care for others, is for us the overriding, overarching essence of Anne. All that Anne was was informed, filtered, driven, focused by kindness. We are blessed to have called her friend. - Posted by: Sheldon and Penny Bowles (Friend ) on: Jul 11, 2021

  • What a beautifully written obit and pic of your Mom and her smiling face. I worked with Lionel in MB. E&M and always found him a hoot. And then I met your Mom and was delighted too. Was fortunate enough to have an invite to a party at your family home and loved every minute. Your Mom made the most delicious egg casserole dish and was so kind to write it out for me. I've made it many times since but don't think it ever measured up to when I tasted hers. Ironically a few days ago I was thinking I should make that delicious dish (as haven't for a long time) and cannot find her handwritten recipe. My deepest sympathy to all the family. Your parents were unique GEMS❤️❤️ - Posted by: Wendy Thurston-Werry (Granger) (acquaintance) on: Jul 10, 2021

  • What a lovely obituary that captures Anne’s spirit! We thought we had won a lottery by moving in next door to Anne and Lionel. We genuinely loved her. She greeted us day 1 with a plate of cookies, and the friendship took off from there. One summer day Anne and Bruce were tired of craning their necks over the back fence so they ripped it down then and there, and were sipping G&Ts in the newly common space by the time Margo got home from work. Benign neglect with strong underpinnings of love, for sure, characterized her parenting style, and she passed some of that on to our own kids. There was never any need for other entertainment when the Orlikows were around. What a gift she was in our lives. Our love to you all! - Posted by: Margo Lane and Bruce Roe (Neighbour and Friend) on: Jul 10, 2021

  • Our sincere condolences to the Orlikow Family from the Reids. The love of your parents always shines through when we meet. Remembering your family with fondness. - Posted by: Tanya Reid (School friends and neighbours) on: Jul 10, 2021

  • Pat and I worked in the St Boniface Hospital Emergency Department with Anne. Her humour and good cheer got us through many sad, difficult situations on the unit. She was a good friend, willing to listen and offer wise advice when needed. Our condolences to her family. - Posted by: Pat and Jo-Anne Montgomery (friend and former colleagues) on: Jul 10, 2021

Neil Bardal Inc. (Winnipeg)

Neil Bardal Inc. (Winnipeg)

3030 Notre Dame Ave (Map)
Ph: 2049492200 | Visit Website

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