Tribute

Ann tells a story of how in July of 1943 in the back lane of the row housing in Newton Abbot (Devon, England) where she grew up, an unruly, newcomer boy grabbed her gently by the hair and asked “What’s your name?” She told him, to thus begin a 77 year friendship and 60 years marriage that ended on Sunday, 13th December 2020 when she died peacefully at Cairnsmore Place at 1:45 am. Born on the last day of 1936, soon to be thrown into the dangers and tribulations of a the Second World War, she ended an exciting life in the privations of a pandemic.

At age 4 she studied at Bearne’s Primary School and at age 10 passed the entrance exams to attend the Grammar School. Delmere, the grubby friend, also attended that school, but it wasn’t until 9th grade that they shared a classroom when the school became co-ed. Into Grade 12, Ann studied Arts and Delmere Sciences, but both attended the same church and youth club.

In 1955, Ann attended a Teacher Training College at Lincoln, far from home, to graduate as an Elementary Teacher in 1957. Delmere attended Reading University where he studied Sciences. At Christmas 1957, home for the holiday, with no partners, the friends went to a dance and coming home, shared a kiss! The effect was electric! Why hadn’t this happened before?!

They never looked back. Delmere trained as a State Enrolled Nurse, then as a teacher at St. Luke’s College in Exeter. In 1960 the foolish but happy couple married to live in a country cottage with no hydro and started a family. Joanna and Philip. A move to town and a teaching job at Ashburton Secondary School saw Abigail born and the decision to emigrate to Canada in 1966.

To Northland School Division in N. Alberta “Come to the land of the moose, no weaklings need apply” was the advert in “The Times Educational Supplement”, 2 years there, 1 year in a renowned winter in Edmonton 68/69 where Delmere obtained his B Ed Degree. Then off to the bald prairie to run a 2 room school; 9 grades, 30 students for 4 amazing years at Buffalo, 100 miles north of Medicine Hat.

In 1975 for a family change, to be with grandparents, uncles, aunties and cousins, back to England for 4 long years. Then home again in 77 to BC to Duncan in a post with School District 61. Ann obtained her B. Ed Degree and M Ed at U Vic and enjoyed work, over 18 years in Cowichan School District. Then 25 years of wonderful retirement – trips to Europe and NZ and Australia, hiking with Cowichan Outdoor Group, music with the Symphony Society.

A wonderful shared life for 60 years. Sadly for the last 5 years, Ann suffered from the growing effects of vascular dementia, but spent only one year (to the day) in our Cowichan Spectacular Hospitals – the COVID year at that!
Predeceased by her parents Reg and Lilian and younger brother John and deeply mourned by her loving children: Joanna (Robyn), Philip and Abigail (Murray), grandchildren Josh & Meredith (Joanna) and Chloe and Salvador (Abigail) and 60 odd relatives in a large extended family in England.

Liked and respected by numerous friends and former coworkers in the Duncan School System. Adored and deeply missed by me, her long-time friend, shared adventurer and lover of 60 years. Sincere thanks are extended to Dr. Lorna Cutt and the staffs of Cowichan District Hospital and Cairnsmore Place. Impeccable care in face of the pandemic.

A joyful Celebration of Ann’s Life will be held as soon as the COVID monster is under control.