June 27, 1931- January 4, 2021
Written by Marilyn Starling (loving daughter)
Anne Starling passed away peacefully in the early morning of 4th of January 2021 with her daughter, Marilyn and friend Mig at her side. She is survived by her son Vern (Jan), daughters Sharon, Marilyn and Loretta (Oscar), ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, siblings Stella, John and Mike, as well as her dog Kailey. Her daughter Heather predeceased her. Her special friends Sue, Hetty, Darlene and Ken were very dear to her and would visit often.
She was born in Moon Lake, Alberta to parents Mary and Alex Yasinchuk and grew up on a farm, dirt poor as many were at that time. She told me stories of the hard life they lived and of her days spent chopping wood, carrying water from a distant spring, living without heat and running water, etc. She was an extremely intelligent woman and had always wanted to continue her education after completing the highest grade available in her community (grade 6) as a child.
She separated from her husband at the age of 33. As a single mom with five children, she had to work extremely hard to scrape together money for a down payment for a new home she wanted to raise them in and did her best to provide a good life for them. She took evening classes to complete high school at the same time.
Her life was not easy, but she always lived life as if her glass was half full and not half empty. She once told me she had never felt depressed because « We have to carry on regardless what life throws at us. » She had a never-ending spirit of adventure, caring, learning, teaching, strong opinions, generosity, incredible resourcefulness in helping others to help themselves and immense curiosity about everything. She learned to use a computer at age 75. That was my mom!!! A feisty lady who was always a leader with a twinkle in her eye.
She loved to discuss everything under the sun, her favorite subject being global events and politics. She always knew what was happening in the world and loved geography. Mom had a passion for fairness and helping those less fortunate and was often an advocate for them by providing assistance to navigate government bureaucracy to obtain resources they were entitled to and much more. Although she had little money, she was generous to those who didn’t and would help them when she could.
Her passion for social issues and willingness to help others led to her advocacy for women’s rights and she could be found at many rallies and protests including, Friends of Medicare; fairness in Widow’s Pensions for those who were separated or divorced and other political rallies or social issues. She even spoke at some events-she wasn’t shy to share her opinions on any subject she was passionate about. At election time, she was sure to call her friends to discuss who the best candidates were and would work at polling booths.
She also loved animals and supported the Humane Society, etc. I can’t count the number of times we picked up stray animals, brought them to her house and located their owners. She was an advocate for animals in distress and would call the authorities to assist.
She loved music, especially Elvis and would play music constantly and sing along. She attended many Elvis Presley impersonator shows across the country’’ and we would attend these events locally as well. We went to plays at the Citadel, productions at Jubilee Auditorium (ballet, country bands,etc). She loved smorgasbords and we went to a lot of those with her friends as well.
Mom was very resourceful and could fix almost anything and solve any problem calmly. I recall her climbing a ladder (two story house) in her seventies to fix her roof, doing mechanical work on her own car, and building a fence completely by hand on her property to name a few. Nothing could get in the way of her perseverance and determination.
She loved to travel when she could (Graceland was her favorite trip). Also took trips to Jasper, Banff, my cabin, B.C. (camping) and Mexico. What an adventure we have had. Dipping her feet into a cool running river was a favorite thing to do. Mom was also an incredible seamstress and could sew outfits without using a pattern.
Mom spent the previous days before she passed as usual, watching country music videos and her favorite singer (Elvis), watching her favorite T.V. shows, getting out and about in her wheelchair, talking to friends and family on the phone, and engaging in conversations with her caregiver and others about absolutely everything.
Right until the end, she knew exactly what was going on in her life and was able to express herself in spite of aphasia caused by her stroke. You just had to listen. She spoke of her family and friends often and would ask to call them and expressed her love for them continually. She loved her family and friends dearly and wanted to talk to them as often as she could. She always wanted to be sure they were well and doing okay.
The doctors and I thought she would be discharged home with a caregiver, but as time went on, her and I knew that wasn’t to be and she spoke about it calmly.
She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
Rest in Peace mom, you deserve it! Know you will always be with me and others who love you dearly and never ever forgotten.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Anne Sterling January 27 1931 January 04 2021..
Park Place Funeral Home Chapel & Crematorium Ltd
Décès pour la Ville: Sherwood Park, Province: Alberta