Anne Cannon was bron on September 20, 1921 to Onofrey and Dora Stadnyk as Anna Stadnyk at Sarto, Manitoba. Anne's grandparents were Michael and Katherina Stadnyk.
Michael together with his brothers Paytro and John came to Canada in 1890 eventually landing in the Stuartburn district of Manitoba in 1896. On April 11, 1902 Michael filed for 160 acres at Vita, Manitoba with a fee of $10.00 through Dominion Lands Interim Homestead Act and the farm prospered being river bottom land along the Rat River raising cattle and crops. Anne's grandparents good fortune didn't last with both dying tragically. Michael got hung up the axle of a runaway wagon and Katherina was murdered, her killer was never found. Anne's father, Onofrey, filed for 160 acres at Sarto, Manitoba, and in June 1914 he married Dora (need Boyechko) and began farming. Onofrey was a blacksmith with his shop located on the farm. He also spearheaded the building of the Greek Orthodox Church and the development of the cemetery. Anne often spoke about her childhood and responsibilities. They were working in the summer kitchen; gathering sheaves of wheat; cleaning the barn and chicken house; and the most terrifying of all was going to get the cows for milking with hopes of not seeing the mean bull. Anne also remembers countless wagons and ox carts passing daily by the farm house until a new road was built, then the road fell silent.
Anne talked about walking many miles to school each day and of course the barn dances with Ukrainian music.
Eventually there was seven children in the family and the farm flourished but her parents got old before their time with Onofrey passing away in 1956 and Dora in 1965.
Anne married Paul Konowalchuk on May 23, 1948 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and eventually landed in Kitimat B.C., where Anne worked for Neche's, a dress shop, while Paul worked in Kemano, B.C.
Paul passed away in 1961 after a lengthly illness in Vancouver, B.C. Anne married John Cannon on February 17, 1962 in Mission, B.C. where John was employed with his father's business, Cannon Contracting. The call of the north came one day when John became employed with Eurocan Pulp & Paper at Andrew Bay on Ootsa Lake. The family followed and on May 2, 1974 they landed in Burns Lake. The sale of Eurocan to West Fraser in 1982 brought the family to Fraser Lake with employment at Fraser Lake Sawmills.
Anne enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, the outdoors and close friends. She was a loving mother and devoted to her family and will be remembered by those who knew her over the years.
Written by Richard Cannon