Tribute

After a life of love and adventure, God called our mother, Anne Marie Friesen, home at 8:15 PM September 27, 2010. Anne was born to John and Elena Schellenberg on August 25, 1931 in Cartwright in south-western Manitoba. She is predeceased by her husband, John, in 1997, and her son, Murray, in 1996. She is survived by two sons, Norman (married to Barbara Simler) and Daniel (married to Margaret Schellenberg).

Throughout her adult life, Anne’s central passion was working with children and helping them through teaching and study. She received her teacher’s certificate from Teacher’s College in Winnipeg in 1951, and completed a practicum in child psychology at the University of Manitoba in 1977. Her study and passion came to fruition in raising her own three boys, and in the context of her teaching career, which spanned many years, from 1954 to 1982.

Anne enjoyed many special times together with her family at a small hobby farm located outside of Winnipeg, near Birds Hill Park. In addition to labours of love of gardening and tending to the farm, she took great pleasure in hosting many picnics and barbeques with family and friends there.

After she completed her teaching career, and after her husband John retired from his position in the Manitoba government, they both participated in a number of volunteer work projects. These projects and positions, which were in St. Croix, Germany, Texas and Pennsylvania, were enjoyed by John and Anne as adventures. These volunteer experiences also provided enormously enriching opportunities to assist and work together with a variety of groups and individuals –many of whom were rebuilding after natural disasters.

After her husband’s sudden passing, Anne moved to Abbotsford BC, and joined many of her siblings who had retired there.
During her final years, Anne lived at the Deltaview Rehabilitation Centre in Delta, BC. Both Anne and her family are enormously grateful for the assistance she received there, and especially to the kind staff who provided help and support so generously.

A celebration of Anne’s life will take place with family and friends on Monday, October 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM in Bakerview Mennonite Church in Abbotsford, BC.

Cremation will take place in BC and interment will be at the Sunnyside cemetery in the Birds Hill area later in October (a date has yet to be finalized for a memorial and interment ceremony).

Contributions can be made in lieu of flowers to Kingdom Ventures and Family Life Network, both of Winnipeg.