ANNE FERENC

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Anne Ferenc, who departed this life at the age of 65 on November 14th, 2024 at St. Boniface Hospital due to kidney failure. At Anne's request cremation has taken place and there is no funeral. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Anne was an amazing soul and had a heart of gold. "A beautiful smile to hide the pain."

Born in Winnipeg, raised on Rupertsland her whole life. She attended H.C. Avery School and graduated from Garden City Collegiate. She began her career in accounting for various companies in Winnipeg. Her profession changed to a telemarketer, whether it be scheduling salesmen to visit potential satellite buyers; arranging installations for vending machines in businesses across the U.S.A.; or raising money for various charities one of which was Junior Diabetes. Anne would tell the story of booking a salesman to go out to rural Manitoba on a Saturday to discuss buying a satellite dish with a new client. When the salesman arrived at the home, the man who booked the appointment said, "He really wasn’t wanting to buy a satellite dish, he didn’t even have a TV he just liked the sound of her voice.”

After many years of “working the phones” Anne sought casual employment at the University of Manitoba which in time became a full-time position as a Grant Assistant supporting accountants in Research and Special Fund Accounting, Financial Services. She had some great supervisors over the years and was praised for her strong work ethic. She was grateful for the close friends she made with her coworkers. Anne was always the “go to person in the office” which could vary from ordering pizza or Chinese food on a Friday, collecting money for the lotto or for a going away gift. In the afternoons she would pose a riddle to the office just so they could take a break from their work for a few minutes. After 16 years of service, she retired January 3, 2024 and when an email was sent out to the staff this is what was written: “Anne was an amazing soul and had a heart of gold. This hurts, it really hurts.”

Anne loved kids and animals. When her nephews Brad and Darren were young “Auntie Anne” would take them shopping, let them loose in the toy department and give them money to buy treats. She spent many summers at her brother’s cottage in Traverse Bay, which she enjoyed with the whole family. She had a special bond with Louise’s grandchildren Stephie, Matt and Mike. She was generous to a fault, especially when great-grandchildren came along. Buying 3 different sizes of diapers by the box loads so they would have a good start. For many years Anne volunteered at the registration table for the Annual A.E.S.E.S. Children’s Christmas Party at the U of M. She loved seeing the little ones all dressed up and so excited to see Santa. I was told that she was sadly missed this year.

Over the years Anne had several cats two of whom were Mugsy and Maggie: her M&M girls. Maggie was her baby, and she spent many hours patting and kissing her, even though she was trying to read the newspaper, or fill in a puzzle piece. Anne’s love of animals led her to donate monthly to the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter and the Winnipeg Humane Society. When encouraged to volunteer there she would say: “I couldn’t, I would bring them all home!”

Anne had an infectious laugh, and a big heart and always generously thinking of others. She loved to have company, remembering what they liked and disliked in food and drink; she inevitably served way too much. Nobody went home hungry; they usually went home with leftovers. “It’s a Ukrainian thing,” she would say. Anne was recently elected as Sargent-at-Arms in the Winnipeg Cosmopolitan Club. A service club that raises money to fight diabetes. Ironic that this disease took her life in the end. In the last 5 years, Anne suffered with tremendous pain. When asked how she was, Anne’s reply was always: “Putting one foot in front of the other and I get where I’m going.”

She leaves a void in Louise’s and her precious Maggie’s life; her brother Jerry (Myrna) and her nephews Brad and Darren; many friends especially John and Heather, coworkers and neighbors. She was predeceased by her brother John and her father and mother Harry and Sophie Ferenc.

If you are so inclined, please donate to the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter in Anne’s memory.

Anne’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories, using the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St. Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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