Obituary of Ann Frederick (nee Putman)
A life lived extraordinarily.
Ila Ann Frederick nee Putman
It is with sadness that the Frederick Family announces the passing of Ann Frederick. She left us after a struggle with Alzheimer’s that robbed her of her memory, but never her spirit.
Spirit is something mom possessed in enormous quantities. She loved deeply, lived passionately, and was always optimistic that things would work out. She brought these gifts to everything she did. Her life was filled with great experiences. Mom was an accomplished ballerina. She studied classical ballet in Toronto into her late teens. At 19 she chose marriage and family over the stage. While in her 30’s and with a young family at home, she was a proud Bell telephone operator. Real estate and jewellery sales followed in her 40’s. In her 50’s she returned to BCI as a student and earned her high school diploma. In moms 60’s she learned to drive tractor trailer and travelled with Dad. She took up Tai Chi at age 62 which she practised and taught into her 80’s. This packed life occurred while she fought and beat 2 different cancers. Mom had spirit by truckload! She also had a great smile.
Mom inspired as well. She was an active volunteer throughout her life. For years she was the neighbourhood organizer for March of Dimes. She did this with 6 young kids at home. An active member of Christ Church for many years mom was the family’s faith leader. The Royal Canadian Legion, The Cancer Society and Belleville General Hospital are other organizations she volunteered with, and supported strongly. Her passion and dedication to her family, her friends, and the causes she took to heart inspires us to this day.
Mom passed in her 88th year and was married for 68+ years to our dad, Eugene Frederick who survives her. As the mother of 6 children Gene Jr., Natasha (Lynn), Stephen, Nelson, Jill, and Russell she was awesome. She was as dedicated a mother as anyone could hope for. Mom’s legacy didn’t stop with her children. It also includes 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, to say nothing of the love and affection she had for our uncles, aunts, her nieces and nephews and her many friends.
Mom leaves us with thousands of great memories. Hopefully if you’re reading this, you remember a few as well. We hope they bring a smile to your face. Some of our favourites include the memories of baking filling the house with great smells which we still talk about today. She jammed. She jellied. She baked. She pickled. She loved Christmas, figure skating, the Olympics, all dogs, and her family. She was full of love she was…mom. That being said Mom loved music and dancing most of all. Music on the radio and mom dancing in the living room were not rare occurrences. Especially, if Elvis or the Beatles came on.
I could go on but let it be said that our mother Ila Ann Frederick loved life, lived life, and at the end of the day always had a smile on her face. She also brought one to those around her.
What more can anyone ask for?
Rest in Peace Mom. You are alive with us and always will be.
A Graveside Service for Ann will be held at the Belleville Cemetery (Section J, Row 17), on Saturday, August 20th, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Following the Graveside Service, you are invited to a reception which will be held at the Steele Family Centre, 20 Moira Street West, Belleville.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Belleville General Hospital. Arrangements entrusted to Steele Funeral Home, Moira Street Chapel, Belleville (613-968-2273)
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ann
Frederick nee Putman 1933 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Belleville, Province: Ontario