ANNE JULIA CAHOON (nee PODWYSOCKI)
Went home to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at the age of 89.
While the sadness of her passing leaves us all with a heavy heart, there is a feeling of joy and peace in the tears as we know that she is in God’s loving hands. Anne leaves to mourn her sons, Terrence (Geraldine), Phillip, Glenn and Jon (Jennifer), and grandchildren, Courtney, Crystal, Christopher, Michael, Taylor, Savannah and Pierce. She will be missed by her loving extended family: Keith (Jodie), Douglas, Darlene and Florence and grandchildren, as well as her companion and best friend Arthur Buck and special friends, Chris and Shirley and their daughter Christie-Leigh.
A special note of thanks to Linda and the other caregivers at Carlingview Manor.
In lieu of flowers and donations, cards with brief recollections of favourite memories can be sent to: Remembering Anne, c/o 219 Fifth Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 2N1 or by visiting the Remembering Anne Memorial Site at; http://rememberinganne.wordpress.com/
A private service at the home of Jon and Jennifer will be held in Ottawa on Monday, April 7th at 219 Fifth Avenue. Father Soucy from Blessed Sacrament will provide words of comfort between 3:00 and 3:30 PM, with the family receiving people up until 6:00 PM.
A formal memorial service in her hometown of Winnipeg will follow at a later date.
(Mom, in her early twenties)
Remembering Anne
Over the past few days we have been reminiscing and remembering Anne (as she always said … Anne with an “e”).
As surprising as it sounds, our first thought was Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding. This was such a favourite of hers that it was never a question of what to serve for a special dinner.
Anne was a “people person” who could always strike up a conversation with anyone and leave a lasting impression. She expected nothing and appreciated everything.
Anne loved music … we can still see her sitting near the piano at our place singing Christmas Carols or teaching Laurena children’s songs … especially the one about the “dolly with her knees a knocking and the holes in her stocking”.
Anne loved her grandchildren and always remained a teacher at heart. She often “surprised” Shawn and Laurena with loonies in her pockets, was an enthusiastic fan at hockey, ringette and soccer and always loved a picnic at Kildonan Park .
Although our time with Anne was only a small fragment of her ninety years, two things are clear to us … she touched many lives, and she will be missed.
Our thoughts are with you.
Keith and Jodie
Nova Scotia
Jon . . . I just saw your note, on behalf of the family we want to pass on our condolences . . .
. . . I am certain that God has welcomed her with open arms and she is in a better place now.
Luis and Tina and Family
Ontario
I will always remember how Grandy was never shy about approaching total strangers and striking up a conversation with them as if they were fast friends.
Some years ago while having breakfast with her at a restaurant, a fellow family member pointed out that two Winnipeg Jets players had come in and sat down a few tables down from us. Grandy proceeded to go right over to them, introduce herself and explain how she was dining with her family from Calgary and how her grandaughter was a big “Flames” fan.
I am not sure what those 2 Jets players thought but I certainly never forgot the experience!
Lisa
Alberta
I am very saddened to hear of Anne’s passing. I extend my heartfelt sympathies.
I first met Anne in January, 1975, when I arrived at Greenway School, a young, brand-new teacher. She made it her job to be my Guardian Angel. She welcomed me, befriended me, and took me under her wing. She managed, somehow, to be a mother and a colleague, at the same time.
After Anne retired, and after I left Greenway, we kept in touch and enjoyed a number of visits. In 1982, when my eldest daughter, Ruthie, was born, Anne and Henry came to visit. I sent her a copy of the picture I took of them, and shortly afterwards, she called to tell me that the photo had become extra special. Henry died not long after that visit.
In January 1997, Anne called and suggested we go toGreenway’s “Farewell Tea” together. We spent and afternoon travelling back in time together.
Anne was a loving and generous soul. It was a privelege and a gift to know her. May her memory be for a blessing.
Nancy
Manitoba
Memories of Anne
My earliest memory of Anne is of her coming to a Bible study group with Jon. She continued to come after he moved out of the city, with Henry driving her. After Henry passed away, we always joked that we had adopted her as one of our family and so we had and vice versa. Deanna, her niece, then drove Anne and attended our small group.
Anne was always an active participant in whatever she did. Her social skills were very well-honed. She could not only talk to any one, but she also was a willing listener. A skill she no doubt learned when she went to charm school when she was young. She had the ability to make everyone feel special and interesting. She had a very generous spirit and showed her affection and love with many hugs and kisses which were always returned and appreciated. She cared deeply for her friends and when we left her house, would always ask us to phone her when we got home so she knew we had arrived safely. If we happened to forget she would call to check everything was okay. That kind of caring was so nice and is missed.
Her stories of her early life were always interesting. She was proud of her parents and siblings, and of her own boys with their many talents and differing abilities. She liked to reminisce of stories of her youth. She told us of her 16th birthday party and how her dad replaced all the light bulbs with high wattage ones so there would be no hanky panky going on in any dark corners. She recalled how happy her family was when her brother came back from WW II and how he would sing “Blue bird of Happiness” to her mother. It was a favorite of Anne’s as well. She knew many songs and could sing them as well. One of her favorites “It’s Only a Paper Moon” was among them. Her story of how small she was when born and how she was placed in a dresser drawer for a bed was also delightful. She not only talked about herself and family, but was truly interested in other people’s lives and their stories. She was an excellent communicator. Anne was a feminine woman who liked nice things. She took care with her appearance and was still wearing high heel pumps well into her 70’s.
Short jaunts we went on besides going to St. Vital Park and little shopping excursions (in the earlier years) was a trip to Bird’s Hill Park and a walk up the hill the Pope had spoken from. All four of us also took a drive out to Hecla Island where Anne joined us in paddling barefoot at the edge of the lake. We stopped on our way back home for tea in Gimli. She never let her age be a factor from enjoying life. Her oft comment was “Age is only a number” and “Age is mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”. . .
Anne was a frequent and favorite visitor for teas, lunches, and evening dinners at our house, especially when she was on her own. She was a willing and capable helper in the kitchen, carrying in dishes to be washed, helping with the washing up, and doing whatever she could do to assist. Her favorite for tea was our cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, so they were made frequently as they were so appreciated. We always included her in the family gatherings at our house for birthdays, Christmas Eve, and any other occasion that came up.
Some of the memories also took place in regards to her health. She said you could always tell who your real friends were by which ones you could call in the middle of the night without fear or recriminations. It was our privilege to be able to drive her to emergency or doctor appointments whenever the need arose and to wait with her until given approval for her to return home. Our first medical foray was when she had her eye operation for a detached retina. Christie-Leigh and I took her to Health Sciences Centre and ensured she was settled in. We then visited her after surgery before we went on a previously scheduled holiday. When we came back, Anne had been released and had met a new friend who was assisting her in her convalescence. During that time, she also met Allen whom she later married. We got to meet Allen when Anne brought him over to look at a closet door that had come off its runners. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to meet him and we also became friends with him and found him to be witty and warm-hearted.
On one occasion on her return from visiting in Ottawa, we met her plane on a Sunday evening. To our dismay, she was in a wheelchair being assisted by the airline personnel. Apparently she had fallen while walking down the ramp to the airplane. She was looking pretty miserable, but wanted us to take her home. We persuaded her that we should at least have her checked out at Concordia Emergency before going home. She agreed and it was found she had broken a bone in her hand. She was terribly bruised. It took awhile for the bruising and injuries to heal but she was a trooper throughout the process appreciating any small kindnesses given to her by friends in the way of visits, food items, etc.
My least favorite memory is of taking Anne and her friend, Arthur to the airport when she was moving to Ottawa. Waving goodbye through the security windows was the ending of a chapter for all of us. Although we chatted on the phone over the next year, we never did see her again and missed her a lot.
Later, staying at her house while the movers packed up her house was quite revealing. Without Anne’s presence in the home, it just became another house – no longer the warm, cozy, home she had made it. Anne had ‘left the building’. Now Anne has left her earthly building for good and so we say farewell to a warm, loving, generous friend for the last time on earth. Till we meet again….
“….to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord…” 2 Corinthians 5:8
-Shirley E. Capper
Manitoba
To the family of Anne,
I met Anne about 2 years ago at Carlingview Manor where she lived out her lasts years…I am the housekeeper on 2nd floor. I got to know Annie very well, She was a beautiful Lady. She was like my Mom away from home. I came to Love her very much. No matter what she went through when she was scared or mad or worried I was there for her as much as possibe.She loved Chocolate just like me. We are both small & like to smile & sing & laugh. I will deeply miss her. I will never forget as she will always be in my heart. I am truly sorrow for the Famil’s loss as I feel the loss as if she were my Family…Love you my little Annie Bananie…Only you will understand this from your little Butterfly…..
Darlene
Ontario
Anne was a warm-hearted, out-going individual who was always willing to make a contribution wherever she found herself.
She attended many years of Calvary Temple neighborhood, small-group meetings. At these sessions she always participated in the activities and never failed to help with preparation and clean up. She was a team player!
She loved being around youngsters. One memory we have of her is assisting with annual science fair judging in River East School Division, at schools where I was principal. She always had a kind word and encouraging smile for the “kids” whom she judged. She understood children and was a great supporter of their well being. Clearly a caring, child-centered motherly figure to many youngsters and a good friend of ours.
We continue to keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Chris Capper
Manitoba
Back in the late 60′s, I met Anne’s son Phil at the University of Manitoba. We hit it off and began a friendship that continues to this day. Ocassionally I would drop over to the Hansen residence on Manhattan Avenue in Elmwood. I met both of Phil’s parents during these visits. They welcomed me into their home with warmth and enthusiasm. Anne was always cheerful, congenial and interested in hearing what a young person like me had to say.
Many years have passed since I last saw her, yet I recall her soft voice and her friendly smile quite vividly and with great fondness.
My sympathies to all the family. May she rest in peace.
Eugene
Manitoba
I’m not sure where to begin as I have so many fond memories of Anne who I felt was like a Mom to me. I met her the day Dad (Allen) brought her over for Laurena’s 1st birthday. She wore this royal blue silk shirt that brought out the sparkle in her eyes. She was so sweet, cute, beautiful and very elegant looking. The kids, Michelle, Shawn and Laurena, immediately took a liking to her and became a big part of their lives. It wasn’t long before Mom/Memere/Gtandy as part of our family. She was very special to us and we loved her dearly. She looked forward to our huge family gatherings where she could visit with everyone who meant so much to her. The kids looked forward to the visits from Grandma and Grandpa, where they would spend time singing, dancing and playing cards or musical instruments. The two of us enjoyed our special times together either going for walks to the park, breakfast at Smitty’s or Salisbury House for a nip and fries and having our talks. Mom was always full of praise which encouraged confidence in everyone she knew and cared about. She made a lasting impression to all she came in contact with. All she would do was smile with that twinkle in her eyes, make a positive comment and carry on without wanting anything in return but to put forward faith and happiness.
We miss her dearly but she will live on in our hearts forever.
Love Florence, Michelle, Shawn & Laurena
My mother bumped into an old friend of Anne’s and was told of her passing. I am sorry for your loss. In my life she gave me two pieces of advice that have proved invaluable, the first, marry someone who makes you laugh, the second, always be childlike, not childish. She was a great woman, with a big heart and I will always remember her fondly.
Crystal (Anne’s Granddaughter)
Winnipeg