Annie “Anne” Spatuk (nee Kanik) passed quietly at the Crowsnest Health Care Centre on March 27, 2015. She was a loving and generous wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother; a passionate educator, supporter of the arts, dedicated historian, and vocal activist. After many years of teaching and active involvement in the community, she has established a strong legacy that few can match. Her family is very proud of her and all her accomplishments but mostly for her determination to do the right thing and give generously of her time, expertise and love.
Anne spent her entire life in the beautiful Crowsnest Pass. Her mother was the first girl baptized in Coleman, and Anne grew up playing in the forests not far from her family's home on Cement Street. From her humble beginnings teaching immigrant children in the one room school house in Beaver Mines to her retirement from CCHS, she touched many generations, and her unorthodox teaching methods and personality are still discussed. She and Hank partnered with the Brown family and built the Lost Lemon Campground in Blairmore in 1970. Anne retired early and they began to travel to visit their many friends, and both loved spending holidays in Reno and Las Vegas.
When she was home, she dedicated herself to preserving historical buildings, artifacts, and stories of the Crowsnest Pass, and leading others to carry on that passion. She was a founding member of the CNP Historical Society in 1973, the CNP Museum, and contributor to the development of the three books that documented the lives within this area, Crowsnest and It’s People, which received accolades from many historical societies. She was recognized with the Great Albertan Award and the CNP Citizen of the Year Award in 1995, and the Museums Alberta Life Commitment Achievement Award in 1998.
Due to ill health, Anne moved to Calgary in 1995 where she helped raise her twin grandbabies. After receiving a kidney transplant she returned to the Pass, eventually becoming a resident of the Tecumseh Manor and then the York Creek Lodge. She met new friends and got caught up on all the Pass activities – sparing no one, should she feel they were not taking care of business, with her regular and popular 'Letters to the Editor'. In March 2013, Anne was the keynote speaker at the CNP Historical Society's 40th Anniversary, the last of her formal appearances.
Over the past 5 years, Anne's health suffered. She was just two weeks shy of her 90th birthday celebration with her family. Today we do celebrate her life in all her capacities and are overwhelmed with pride and adoration for her. Our sincere thanks to all those care givers that provided her physical, mental and spiritual aide throughout this time, as well as to the people who walked alongside her as she supported the legacy of the Crowsnest Pass.
She is survived by daughters Marianne Blythe of Whitehorse, YK; and Susan (Kenneth) Swenson of Victoria, BC. Her grandchildren, Kate (Shane) Petry of Lethbridge, Brooke (Rene) Bryzgorni of Sexsmith; Ian (Brandie) Spatuk, Corrie (Peter) Bubik and Nicolas (Sherri) Spatuk all of Blairmore; Natasha Puka and Tanya (Joe) Puka of Calgary. Anne was blessed with 11 great grandbabies: Kai Coleman, Matthias, Nellie and Tobias Bubik, Nicole and Ashley Spatuk, Isabelle, Jack and Lily Petry, and Mikayla and Emma Bryzgorni. Anne is survived by sisters Mary Flexhaug of Alix, and Florence McQuarrie of Blaimore. She is also survived by nieces and nephews Mark (Pat) Flexhaug of Kelowna, Monica and Camon of Victoria, Marie (Darcy) Tievador and Myron (Kelly) Flexhaug of Calgary, and many dear life-long friends.
Anne was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Mary Kanik (nee Miklusek/McClusky); her brothers Joseph and Michael Kanik; beloved husband Henry “Hank”; son-in-law Richard Blythe; and her loving son Michael John this past October.
The Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at 8:00 pm at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in Blairmore (13126-21 Ave) with Deacon Renso Castellarin officiating.
The Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Ben Marino as Celebrant.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes can be donated to CNP Historical Society and the CNP Museum (PO Box 306, Coleman, AB T0K 0M0). Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.
Fantin's Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements. (403) 562-8555.