It is with great sadness that we remember Mrs. Anne Young (nee Rohn), who suddenly passed away the evening of Sunday the 16th of October, 2011 at home with family by her side.

Anne was born in Nelson, BC, on April 4, 1926. She was a tiny premature baby who went home in a shoe box to the isolated, German-speaking, fruit farming village of Renata. She not only survived, but she thrived there, tagging along with her big brothers when they went swimming, and hiking and fishing in the mountains. Renata was on the Arrow Lakes and was accessed by a CPR paddle wheel steam ship, and then later a ferry. Around 1942, Anne left Renata to work at various jobs such as fruit picking in the Okanagan, and working at the Banff Springs Hotel.

Anne and Jack met when she was working at UBC, and he was studying there. They were married May 12, 1949, following his graduation in Social Work. Soon after, they moved to Fernie in the BC Rockies. A year and a half later they returned to Vancouver where their eldest son Ken was born. The summer of 1951, they moved to London, England where Jack did post-graduate work. Their second son Murray was born that December during the famous “fog” that killed 6000 people.

On their return to Canada, they lived in Regina Beach, Sask. In the summer of 1954, Jack completed Officer training, and they moved to Trenton, ON, where they lived until 1958. Throughout their marriage, and especially during the time spent in Trenton, Anne shouldered most of the responsibility for the family and the home, as Jack had to be away a lot. She did this admirably, raising busy young children and fitting into military society. She made friends easily and also occasionally travelled with Jack on his Social Work visits. She was active in military support groups and Officers' Mess social life, especially before their daughter Debbie was born in the summer of 1956.

The summer of 1958, Anne, Jack and family moved to RCAF Centralia, just north of London, ON. This was a happy move for the family, as Jack was home more. As they lived in married quarters in a rural station (base), Anne really became involved in the community and made many more friends, and also taught Sunday School.

In 1964, the family moved to Metz, France, which was an interesting area where both French and German areas existed nearby. Anne really enjoyed the chance to experience new friends and cultures. Like many, she happily made lots of non-military friends on the “economy”, including the relatives and friends of a French-born friend from Centralia.

In 1967, the Canadians were all moved from France to Lahr, Germany, and Anne had to overcome the difficulty of looking after a family for six months while living in a tent trailer in a campground with 60 other Cdn. families. This was made even more challenging when school began, and the children had to be sent off in uniforms every day. As well, since Anne spoke German, she became the interpreter for the other Canadian families camped there. Anne really enjoyed her time in the Black Forest.

In 1969, the Youngs moved back to Winnipeg, until Jack retired in 1970, moving the family to Calgary for a year before moving to Thunder Bay in September 1971.

Anne was an active volunteer worker, including at LPH and with the Red Cross. She was also active in St. John Ambulance, the Armoury Officers' Mess (elected life member), and lately with Women's Aux. Royal Canadian Legion P.A. Branch 5. Two additional honours for her community work included being made an Officer of the Order Of St. John and receiving a Queen's Jubilee, Silver Jubilee Medal.

Anne's greatest pleasure and pride was in her family, including her extended family. She was a wonderful mother and wife. She liked to travel, and when the children were young she enjoyed camping with the family. She was an avid card player throughout her life, and was very involved with her bridge clubs. She was an amazing cook, and she loved entertaining. She was famous at the Officers' Mess for her Scotch Eggs. Before arthritis made the work difficult, she also took pleasure in creating many fine crafts and sewing projects.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 62 years, Jack, son Ken and wife Judy (Ottawa), son Murray and wife Barbara (Thunder Bay), daughter Debbie Flank and husband Robert (Kingston), grandson Bill Flank and wife Mandy, their children Joshua and Grace (Thunder Bay), granddaughter Jennifer Maurice and husband Doug, their children Caitlyn and James (Moscow ON), brother Warren Rohn (Langley BC), and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom were very dear to her. Anne was predeased by her parents, brothers John, Matthew and Carl, sisters-in-law Bea, Rose, Helga, Noreen, Joyce, brothers-in-law Gordon and Pat.

Anne was a happy, friendly person who was loved by all who knew her. She was kind and quiet, cared for others, and was happy to help whenever she could. She will be missed by all of us.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 21, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. in the Everest Funeral Chapel, 299 Waverley Street (at Algoma). Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Visitation for friends will be held on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Everest Chapel. If friends so desire, donations made in memory of Anne to St. John Ambulance or Royal Canadian Legion P.A. Branch #5, Women's Auxiliary would be greatly appreciated.