May 1, 1928 – November 14, 2024

It is with broken hearts and deep sadness that we announce the passing of a truly beautiful and caring soul, Nellie (Anne) Newberry, (Nee Katamay) at the age of 96, on Thursday November 14^th, in Burnaby B.C.

She was predeceased by her parents, Anna and Wasyl Katamay, her brother in law Art Hall, her husband Earl, her sister Mary Hall, her step son Keith Newberry, and her grand daughter in law Amy Sunderland.

She is survived by her brother Nick Katamay of North Vancouver, formally of  Prince Albert; her daughter Colleen (Larry) Sunderland of West Vancouver; her son Andy (Debbie) Riekert of North Vancouver; daughter in law Stella Newberry of Prince Albert; Grandchildren Jennifer Eyton (Adrian); Mathew (Ali) Sunderland; Brett Riekert; Adam Sunderland; Billy Riekert (Jessica); Scott Newberry; Nancy Newberry; Great Grand children Jordyn, Ryder,  Connor, Leila, Declan, Lennon, Varley, Hannah, Sophie, Brook, Blaise, Meghan, Lily, and Abby; and multiple favourite  cousins.

Anne was born May 1, 1928 in Prince Albert.  At the age of 2 the family  purchased a farm in Steep Creek  where she lived and attended a one room school until she was 15.  It was then that she moved back to Prince Albert where she worked for a short time and made new friends.

The next chapter of her life took her to Vancouver where she lived in a rooming house with other women and got an office job at the Hudson Bay Company.  Years later she met and married the father of her two children, Colleen and Andy, who were born in Vancouver.

But life there was not to be, so she moved back to Saskatchewan to a new farm in Colleston (East of Prince Abert) that her family purchased. It was there that mom raised her 2 children with the assistance of her parents and brother.

Anne was such a hard worker.  From the early morning milking call, to the 8 mile drive into Prince Albert to her job, firstly at the Department of Highways, then later at Burns Foods, to the evening call to chores when she returned home.   There was no task that was beyond her ability: she milked, fed, herded the animals; helped with combining in the fields; stacked and hauled bales; drove tractors, trucks and various other machinery; ensured that there was always a garden with vegetables and flowers that needed constant watering and weeding; cooked and cleaned.  Her work was never done.  Vacations and holidays were foreign to her but she always made time for her children.  Whether it was hours flooding an ice rink so we could skate, trips to the library to instill and support a love of reading, trips to the local store for ice cream treats, church visits, the encouragement to learn Ukrainian through weekend school sessions, encouragement to learn a musical instrument and participate in the local 4-H club, or her love of horseback riding with her son, she selflessly devoted herself to her children.

It was at Burns Foods where she met her second husband, Earl, and Anne and her children moved to Prince Albert. It was here that Anne became an even stronger member of her church, St. Georges Ukrainian Catholic Church.  She became more active with the UCWL and Veselka Ukrainian Culture Club.  She started off as a treasurer in the 60’s which meant that Sunday afternoons, after mass, she had all of us charged with counting and rolling all the coins from the church offerings.  Later, she worked tirelessly to contribute by making perogies, cabbage rolls, and bake items to serve at various functions and fundraising activities, including the booth at the PA exhibition.  In 2011 she received a UCWL achievement award from the Prince Albert branch for all her hard work.  There is no doubt that she was missed when she moved to North Vancouver.

Anne also taught us the value of kindness and respect for others.  She took in strays when necessary, not just animals.  From our friends who became homeless when their parents moved away, to cats and dogs that were abandoned and appeared at her door, everyone was welcome to move in for whatever time was needed.  Never was a visitor turned away without first receiving a home cooked meal or a cup of coffee, and always a good chat to catch up.

Family brought Anne her greatest pleasure.  Her parents, her brother, and her children, meant everything to her.  Grandchildren and later great-grandchildren were eagerly welcomed at the farm or her home in Prince Albert, and later North Vancouver.

Her grandchildren, especially, learned the value of hard work as they were enlisted to help with cleaning barns, milking cows, watering the garden, picking berries and vegetables, and herding animals. Some even got to witness the miracle of birth during calving time.   They loved all the activity and looked forward to visiting each year, sometimes bringing their city friends and introducing them to the wonders of farm life.    On the trip home, they were accompanied by bags of fresh new potatoes and green peas picked in the morning before they left.

For the past 7 years Anne and Nick lived with her son Andy and wife Debbie.  Living in North Vancouver enabled her to see her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on a regular basis. Family celebrations for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, our crazy “Christmas in another month” parties, and visits from her cousins, were a wonderful time for Anne to be a part of the festivities.  As well, she and her brother, Nick, enjoyed almost daily  walks through Cates Park or the streets of Deep Cove, and always ended with an hour or two relaxing in the sunshine and visiting with whomever happened by to join them.  We were blessed to have them so close and involved with the entire family in her later years.

Due to health issues suffered by both Anne and Nick they were admitted into long term care in Burnaby in June at Chenchentsway Care Home   They enjoyed a long life together which brought them both a great deal of comfort until Anne’s passing.

Our Mom will be missed more than words can express.  She was a source of strength, never ending love, an inspiration and a true gift for all of us.  Love you forever, Mom.

The family would like to extend a warm thank you to the staff at Chenchentsway Care Home.  We will never forget how kind you were to Mom, and us as well.

Donations can be made to St. George’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Prince Albert, or any charity of your choice.

There will be a family viewing at Boel Chapel in North Vancouver, followed by a small family service.

 

• Date : 2024-11-26
• Location : Vancouver BC