Anne McCracken passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver in the early morning of May 16, 2007 at the age of 73. She was surrounded by her loving children during her four week stay in the hospital.
Anne was born in Wainwright,
Alberta on April 24, 1934 and was the only child of Clarence and Marjorie Alexander.
After graduation, she began nursing studies in
Edmonton. She travelled to Whitehorse in 1952 to work as a summer student for the Air Force where she met her future husband Al. Al and Anne fell in love dancing to the music of the fifties, they were married in 1954. The couple moved to Winnipeg where Anne continued her studies as a nurse. She was forced to leave her studies without her RN status as married women were not permitted to study at the nursing school she attended. Al and Anne started a family in the late 50’s and soon moved to Vancouver where Anne devoted her time to raising
her children.
Anne began her career of healing the folks of the Lakes Dristrict, Granisle and Bulkley Valley, in the early 60s’s when she and her family moved to the area. She left nursing in the 70s to become the secretary/librarian of the Granisle School. Anne and her family moved to Topley in the early 80’s. She decided to resume her nursing career and returned to school. At the age of 62, she was still taking courses to keep up to date with her practice. Anne retired from nursing at the age of 64. Anne was an avid gardener, craftswoman, and quilter.
Anne’s beautiful spirit will live on within the hearts of all who encountered her. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children Pat, Cathy (Rob), Joan (Frank), Glenn and Shelagh (Jill), her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Anne was pre-deceased by her husband Al who passed away August 29th, 2006, her mother Marjorie Gammer, step-father Abe Gammer, and father Clarence Alexander. A celebration of Anne’s life will take place on Friday, June 29th, 2007 at the Topley Community Hall at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Burns Lake Hospice Care Society, The Pines, Bulkley Valley Hospice Society.
Legacy of Love
A wife, a mother, a grandma too,
This is the legacy we have from you.
You taught us love and how to fight,
You gave us strength,
you gave us might.
A stronger person would be hard to find,
And in your heart,
you were always kind.
You fought for us all in one way
or another,
Not just as a wife not just
as a mother.
For all of us you gave your best,
Now the time has come for you
to rest.
So go in peace, you’ve earned
your sleep,
Your love in our hearts,
we’ll eternally keep.