Obituary of Anne Waytowich
On April 26th, 2026, our mother, Anne Waytowich passed away peacefully at Rideau Park Personal Care Home in Brandon Manitoba at the age of 99.
Born in 1926 to Wasyl and Mary Hrysak of Vista, Manitoba, Anne was the youngest of seven children. Her siblings: Jessie, Margaret, Elsie, Matt, Lorne and Stella (all deceased), were cherished and held dear in our mom’s heart. Family was important!
In the late 1940’s, Anne met Steve Waytowich, the love of her life. They married and began their lives together, farming in Oakburn, Manitoba. They worked tirelessly to make a living on the farm, working the land, raising animals, gardening and preserving the produce; the work was endless. When asked what the worst thing about farm life was, mom would answer without hesitation, “Going to get the cows.” She would walk miles to find them, only to discover that they had gone to an opposite pasture. In their early married life, Sunday rituals were always the same: milk cows, attend church, take a Sunday drive and drop in at a relatives’ home for a visit and an inevitable “lunch”. Family, church and work were the cornerstones of mom’s life.
In 1969, Anne, Steve and their daughter Jo-Ann moved to Brandon, Manitoba in search of a better life. Son Larry was already working as a pharmacist, so he lived with them as well. Neither Anne or Steve had ever worked away from their home and farm, so the move to the “big City” felt enormously risky. Steve found work at the Community Auditorium while Anne took work as a cleaning person in a nursing home. After several years, she found her dream job, working at a fabric store called Chez Cloth. She loved her job and was able to let her creativity shine by sewing all the clothing that was displayed in the store.
Anne was an exceptionally gifted crafts-person with the ability to sew anything. She almost exclusively created her entire wardrobe and was always wearing a new creation. Her handiwork encompassed quilting, cross stitch, embroidery, knitting and crocheting. She had the ability to look at a craft project and replicate it perfectly and her house was filled with hand crafted treasures. If one word could describe Anne and her endless talents, it was meticulous – her work was always done to perfection!
Anne’s creativity extended to food as well. Her Christmas “Dainty Tray” would rival the finest bakery. She had the patience to sculpt the fiddliest little treats – her hands were always steady and sure.
Steve passed away in 1989, leaving Anne to figure out life alone. She became fiercely independent and lived in her home until she was 94. She learned to drive after Steve was gone, and drove until well into her 80’s. She developed special relationships with her nephew Mike Messel and niece Linda McIntosh, both of whom became an invaluable support during her final years.
Anne will be remembered by her children: son Larry and wife Debbie, their sons Steven, Jason and Trevor (wife Tarin) and grandchildren Henry, Harrison, Paisley, Winston and Barrett. Daughter Jo-Ann and husband Clyde Jacomb as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 927 Assiniboine Ave., Brandon, MB on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brandon Humane Society, 2200 17th Street E., Brandon, MB, R7A 7M6 or charity of your choice.
