Obituary of Anna Isaac

On the morning of Monday, November 20, 2023, Anna Isaac passed away peacefully into Glory.

She is survived by her children Harold (Monica), Irene (John), Dolores (Rob), Robert (Suzanne) and her grandchildren Lydia (Brad), Liam (Lianna), Nicholas, Jessica (David), Joshua, Kayla (Steven), Jami (Shawn), Dallas, Jacob, Danica, and her great-granddaughter Ziggy.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Cornelius Isaac.

Anna Isaac was born on April 20, 1933, in Osterwick, Ukraine. Mom’s family was prosperous in the first six years of her life. Her father was taken during the Russian Revolution in 1937 never to return, and her two older brothers were conscripted into the army leaving Mom and Oma on their own.

In 1943 circumstances in the war zone changed which required Mom and Oma along with their community to leave their village and migrate west into the unknown with hopes of resettling. This trek continued for two years until they settled in Neustadt, Germany. Materially they managed reasonably well, but richness lay in their life together. They all came from the same faith background and nurtured themselves in their faith experiencing an abundance of God’s protecting grace. As the war progressed, Mom and Oma continually moved until they arrived in Bayern, Germany with the help of locals and the US army. In 1948 after medical exams were completed, they were allowed to immigrate to Canada and join our Oma’s siblings in Hague, Saskatchewan. Ten months later Mom and Oma moved to Winnipeg to find work and to re-unite with many of the refugee families who they had travelled with from Russia.

Mom’s employment started at the age of 16 and continued into retirement.  It included working on a vegetable farm, assisting families with house work and child care, sewing for various factories, and housekeeping at Donwood Care Home.

Mom’s faith in God and her church life were very important to her. She built lifelong friendships and relationships with the women in the Frauen Ferein at church through their bible studies and acts of service. She was baptized on the confession of her faith on May 13, 1951.

Our parents met at the church’s youth group and married on May 30, 1953. Together they raised a family of four children. Vacation times were spent camping, road trips to visit family in Saskatoon and Niagara Falls. In later years Mom and Dad travelled with friends on Fehr-Way Tours across Canada and into the United States.

Mom found joy in sharing her talent in sewing, baking and cooking. Despite the many demands on her, seeing her finished work gave her a sense of accomplishment.

Mom made it priority and was very intentional in staying connected with family and friends through dinner parties, evenings of games, and heartfelt conversations.

As her children grew older and started families of their own, she made time for and built relationships with each of them. The grandchildren spent many hours at the kitchen counter learning Mom’s art of food preparation. At Christmas time each grandchild received a gift box of their favourite cookies.

Mom was committed to her relationship with dad. All their activities were a partnership. As dad’s health declined, she devoted time and energy to caring for him.

After Dad’s passing Mom lived independently. She lived her life with a positive attitude, sharing smiles and good humour with friends and staff in her apartment building. She was active, vibrant, and outgoing until mid-October when her health declined. 

The family would like to thank the staff of Concordia Hospital for their thoughtful and gentle care along with the health care personnel who assisted in her care. We graciously thank friends and family for their support and prayers.

Mom, Oma, Grandma, we love you and will miss you dearly. Till we meet again.

The celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 27, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the Douglas Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, MB., with interment prior to the service beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Green Acres Cemetery, Winnipeg, MB. Please meet at the front gates shortly after 9:00 a.m.

Donations in memory of Anna may be made to Abilities Manitoba 5-1146 Waverley Street, Winnipeg, MB., R3T 0P4.