elevated vZAzY January 1, 1925 – August 15, 2020

elevated vZAzY Anne Crane, aged 95, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2020.  She was born on January 1, 1925 in Brodany, Czechoslovakia.  She and her family immigrated to Canada in 1929 and they settled in Kuroki, a small town in Saskatchewan.  The family lived through the Depression and the harsh winters. We remember fondly Mom speaking of freezing her fingers and toes on her walk to and from school each day.

elevated vZAzY She is survived by her children, Linda (Graham) and Patricia (Dan) and her grandchildren Natasha, Daniel and Brendan and nieces and nephews from both the Halmo and Crane families.  She is predeceased by her husband, Joseph, her parents, Angela and Stefan, and her siblings Steve (Anne), Mary, and Rudy (Norma).  She is also pre-deceased by my father’s siblings, Jack (Dorothy), Mary (Bob), Ida (John), Harry (Francis), Charles (Lori), George (Mary), Eddy (Isabel and Bea), and Joe Wilflin. She is survived on my father’s side by the youngest of his siblings, Joan.

elevated vZAzY She left farm life at 16 to settle in Ontario with her older sister.  She loved to sing and dreamed of a career as an opera singer.  Instead, Isabel, the girlfriend of my father’s twin brother, Eddy, set her up on a blind date with my Dad, because she said if my Dad was not in a relationship, she worried that Eddy would never marry her.  Romance blossomed and in June 1960, my parents were married.  Children followed, Linda in January 1963 and Patricia in December 1964, and their family was complete.

elevated vZAzY Mom was the quintessential mother. She was a fantastic cook and baker and her recipes live on today.  She was the Mom who made fancy cakes for birthdays and school occasions.  She was an accomplished seamstress who not only made clothes but also the best Halloween costumes.  She loved a tidy house but was happy to see old sheets repurposed to make the best tent forts both inside and outside.  When we both joined the Brownies, Mom became a leader, Snowy Owl.  She took us to ballet lessons, piano lessons, and swimming lessons.  My Dad worked two jobs and was not home a great deal, so it was Mom who took care of things at home. 

elevated vZAzY Patricia and I both agree that Mom’s greatest gift to us was showing us by example of how to be a great mother. 

elevated vZAzY Mom will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery after a private graveside service.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.