ANNE DRAPACK (BILOUS)

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ANNE DRAPACK
June 1, 1940 - February 20, 2022

Anne Drapack (nee Bilous), born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully in her home and on her own terms, after a courageous two year battle with cancer.
She was predeceased by her husband Jack, mother and father Anastasia and Nicholas Bilous and her brother Gerry Bilous. Survived by son John (Alix), daughter Kim (Lee) McIvor, daughter Maeve (Hideki) Kanoh, grandchildren, Rebecca (Jonathan) Archambault, Mary (Brett Cunday), Kimberley (Ram Soyao), Scott, Madison, Ivan, Nicholas and two great-grandchildren, Jack and Elizabeth Cunday.
Growing up in the Ukrainian community in the North End of Winnipeg with immigrant parents, Anne learned very early how to be strong and fiercely independent. She met her future husband Jack while in high school, and later while attending university, made sure that he actually attended his classes, rather than driving past the University of Manitoba gates to North Dakota for 'adventure days'. Anne received her degree in Pharmacy in the spring of 1962.
Jack and Anne married in October of 1962 and had three children: John (1965), Kim (1967), and Maeve (1972). They chose to happily live 38 years of their lives in Thompson, always proudly calling Thompson their "home". Here Anne found a balance working as a pharmacist, while being a remarkable mother and role model to her three children.
In Thompson, Anne opened "Anne's Pharmacy". She was the first woman to open her own pharmacy in Manitoba to which mom said was "no big deal" to an interest that once requested to do a story on her achievement. While living in Thompson, Anne and Jack enjoyed spending their weekends at Setting Lake. These were some of the most enjoyable times for both of them. There were many pontoon boat adventures on the water, cocktails on the porch, and spirited nightly bonfires with the Thackerays and McIvors. Anne loved to lounge on the deck with a good book, tootle around in her paddle boat and share a good glass of wine and Sambuca with Penny around the fire in their rubber boots and parkas.
Anne and Jack were avid travellers throughout their working and retirement years. After retirement, they moved to their "'heavens on earth", Victoria, BC and McAllen, Texas and they made many wonderful friendships with new neighbours and golf course members. Following Jack's example in 2014, Anne achieved her first hole-in-one in 2019 after his death. No doubt they are competing for the next hole-in-one on the course in the sky. With Jack, Anne enjoyed many trips to Texas, destinations around the world and more recently to visit their growing family in Oakville, Kelowna, and Japan. Anne also loved her time in Hawaii with Maeve.
The family would like to acknowledge the compassionate home care support Anne received from Dr. Rideout, Vancouver Island Health Palliative Care staff, Eileen and Dani Greene, Flo Vila, Corinna Dickens, Fay Machielse, Michelle Pollard, Santa Mbrussow, Dianne Perry, Joan Wahl, the Pharmasave pharmacy staff and Father Yuri. Anne was able to pass away gracefully in her own home with loved ones by her side.
Anne's funeral will be held on Friday, March 18, 2022. Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1112 Caledonia Ave. in Victoria, BC. Interment with immediate family following mass at Royal Oak Burial Park, with everyone invited at 1:00 p.m. for a small gathering nearby in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallgardens.com

McCall Gardens, Victoria, BC

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 26, 2022