ANNE LEDOHOWSKI

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ANNE LEDOHOWSKI October 18, 1919 - May 7, 2003 It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the family announces the peaceful passing, on Wednesday, May 7, 2003, of Anne Ledohowski, of Poplarfield MB, after a long and full life, reaching well into her 83th year and being in excellent health until only recently. Anne was born on October 18, 1919, in Poplarfield and was the second of six children born to Nykola Lisowecki and Justyna Werstiuk. Mom was predeceased by her first husband Bernard Chekosky in 1950; her father Nykola in 1980; her mother Justyna in 1981; her sister Irene (Sachowski) in 1997; and a son Wayne Ledohowski in 1998. She is survived by her husband Mike Ledohowski, sons, Ken (Anne) and Ron (Karen) Chekosky; and son Ed (Monique) Ledohowski; as well as sisters, Mary Michaelchuk, Sonia Daciw, Olga Flowers; and brother Peter Lisowecki. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Laura and Olivia (Ken) Kurt and Kaila (Ron) Lindsay (Ed) Brett, Amber and Ryan (Wayne) who will dearly miss their loving Baba. "Annie" lived a long and eventful life. All the people who were fortunate enough to get to know her well dearly loved her. As a person, she was generous and extremely hardworking. She was very giving, but with a no-nonsense get-on-with-it drive and attitude, which she imparted onto her children. She was quick witted and liked to assess problems and suggest the best course of action, and being blessed with good common sense, she was invariably correct. In her early adult life she suffered the pain of losing her first husband Bernard Chekosky, leaving her with a three-year-old son and another about to be born. Her inner strength and drive carried her through these difficulties. Soon after she became re-acquainted with an old friend, Mike Ledohowski, and before long they married and Annie moved back to Poplarfield. Together, they raised a family and made a good life for themselves in Poplarfield where they were active community members. During the 1950s, sons Ed and Wayne were born and her family was complete. Along with the demands of raising four active sons, Mom also regularly helped out with the operation of the National Garage, the family business, including delivering bulk-fuel to outlying farmsteads and pumping gas. She went on to managing the Poplarfield Post Office for 20 years. During this period she also actively helped with the operation of the family grain farm in various roles. Mom liked mental stimulation and had a lifelong passion for reading, puzzles, long-hand accounting and playing cribbage. There was not a puzzle her grandchildren could buy for her that she could not piece together - picture, 3-D, or object puzzles, extra pieces, double-sided. Doing accounting for a variety of causes, she never bothered with an electronic calculator, preferring to write out all the figures and columns and work out the balances herself. She took great pride in always having an accurate set of books. Mom first got involved in curling during the 60s and went on to become a skilled player and skip; she was a regular in the local annual womens bonspiels. Upon retirement Mom and Dad continued to curl and also began to travel to various curling championships, both nationally and internationally. They also enjoyed holiday trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Europe and Alaska, in addition to much enjoyed casino trips with family and friends. Despite declining health, Mom was able to enjoy a fabulous week-long holiday trip to Puerto Vallarta with a group of family and friends at the end of January this year. She passed with peace and dignity and remained "sharp as a whip" to her final hours. Family would like to acknowledge and thank close friends and neighbours Mary Stewart and David Ostryzniuk who, in recent years, willingly and unselfishly provided of their time, company and assistance to both Mom and Dad. This tremendously eased the concern of family members, knowing Mom and Dad could depend on such generous and caring people. Thanks also to the various medical personnel that assisted and treated Mom during her recent illness. In particular, thanks to Dr. Paul A. Galbraith of the Winnipeg Clinic Hematology Department; Drs. M.E. and S.J. Muller of the Arborg Hospital; Dr. Andreas and the staff at Percy Moore Hospital, Hodgson, MB; and the various home care nurses who regularly dropped by the house to check on Mom and provide care when needed. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service and luncheon in her honour will be held at the Poplarfield Community Centre on Monday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society in Memory of Anne Ledohowski.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 11, 2003