Annie’s Obituary
Anne Golonowski of Preeceville and formerly of Canora, SK, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at the age of 94 years.
Annie was born to Joseph and Sophie (Petras) Golonowski on September 13, 1925, near the hamlet of Lady Lake, SK. Born with a disability that affected her balance and her hearing, and due to her severe hearing loss, her speech development was affected and communication with people unfamiliar to her was challenging.
Annie attended Brookview School until grade 3. Despite her disability, she enjoyed learning and was thankful to have 2 older sisters to protect and guide her. Over the years, her hearing loss became profound and communication became even more challenging. Although it was often difficult for those who did not know her well to understand what she was saying, she still had ways of communicating her needs and her affection. She loved nothing better than to grab you in a crushing hug and give you the traditional three cheek kisses before she released you. Her balance, too, became worse as the years went by, and she suffered frequent falls. In her later years, Annie walked with a walker and it allowed her the freedom to ambulate independently until she died. As we all know, it is no picnic getting older or having a disability, but Annie accepted both with good humor, grace, and without complaint.
Annie lived with her parents on the homestead north of Lady Lake until 1966, when the family farm was sold, and they moved into Canora. Her father, Joseph, died a year later, leaving Annie and her mother, Sophie, to support one another. She worked at the Canora Supply Store in Canora for many years assisting her friend Martha, the owner. Here, she met and made many new friends. The store was a place to spend a few minutes visiting while customers were picking up groceries or other items.
Annie loved meeting and interacting with neighborhood children. She enjoyed supplying them with candy and always made time for them. Adults who knew her (when they were children) have many stories to share and fond memories of Annie.
In 1995, following her mother’s death, Annie lived alone. She managed her home, garden, and yard with the support of her family and neighbours. Her close neighbours kept an eye out on her, and she would ask for help when needed.
Annie loved to garden. She would start her vegetable and flower seedlings indoors early in the spring and spent as much time outside tending to her plants in the summer as possible. She would be up at five in the morning before the heat of the day and water her garden by hand from the rain barrel. During the winter, Annie passed her time embroidering and rug hooking.
Socializing and visiting gave Annie great joy. She was happy to have company and the more the merrier. Sharing whatever she had in her pantry with family and friends was one way to show her love. Having company over helped stave off loneliness and was something she looked forward to. Annie was playful and never lost her childlike nature. She loved to play cards, especially Hola, and to tease and be playful with people she loved and knew well.
On April 1, 2014, Annie moved into the Preeceville Personal Care Home, her new home. Here, she extended her family circle to include many of her caregivers. Her last few years were enriched by meeting other residents, eating and socializing with others, and joining in fun activities. She developed many close relationships with her caregivers and teased them mercilessly. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was predeceased by her parents, Sophie and Joseph Golonowski; her brother, Victor, in infancy; and her sisters, Mary (Mike) Mastrachuk and Elsie Wasylowich.
She leaves to mourn, her nieces, Loraine (Bill) Mudrewich and Lorraine Tucker (Brian Gerhardt), and nephew, Lorne (Geraldene) Wasylowich, and their respective families.
A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 31, 2020, at the Canora Cemetery, Canora, SK, with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac, as Celebrant.
Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Canora Hospital Auxiliary – Palliative Care Room, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Annie Golonowski.
To send a flower arrangement to the family of Annie Golonowski, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Annie Golonowski 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan