ANNE DOWLING, also known to many as BARBARA ANN or BA HARRIS, December 18, 1938 – July 11, 2015. It is with great sadness that we announce that Anne passed away peacefully at her home in Fernie, BC on July 11, 2015 after a short battle with ovarian cancer.
Anne loved her family members, and was much loved by them. She is survived by her three daughters, Deb Harris (Annie LaBrie), Heidi Manthei and Lisa Manthei (Trevor Roszell), her grandchildren, Joseph Wisely, Lucas Preciado and Max Preciado, her brother, Peter Harris (Joyce) and children (Jen, Megan, Julie and Emily) and her sister, Marilyn Alexiou and children (Tom and Georgie).
She was predeceased by her son John Marston Manthei, her father and mother, James Marston Harris and Georgina Playfair Harris, by her husband Floyd Douglas Dowling and by her brother James Michael Harris.
Anne was born and raised in Winnipeg attending Tuxedo Park Elementary and then spending her high school years at Bishop Strachan School in Toronto. Anne had many fond memories of the family farm in Headingley, MB where she had kept her horse – Snowflake - and of the many childhood summers at the Lake of the Woods. She then attended Manitoba Teachers College and acquired her education degree. Anne started her teaching career at Strathmillan Elementary in Winnipeg teaching grade 2; she also taught in St. Louis, MO, Chicago, IL and Kamloops, BC. Anne raised her ever growing family in Chicago, IL, Winnipeg, Eugene, OR, Trail, BC, Kamloops, BC, and Chilliwack, BC.
In Chilliwack, Anne became an entrepreneur and the proud owner of a ladies dress wear shop for 9 years – Jennifer’s Apparel – always willing to learn new skills and embrace change. Anne was also very involved in Beta Sigma Phi and enjoyed many wonderful friendships from that association.
Anne returned to Winnipeg in 1983. She worked for several years as the church secretary of Deer Lodge United Church. After going back to school, Anne then became the secretary with Hospice & Palliative Care Manitoba and with the Library at Deer Lodge Centre for many years. Anne finished up her career as a ward clerk on unit T6 at Deer Lodge Centre, where she was fondly regarded by patients and staff.
Anne married the love of her life, Floyd Dowling, in 1988. As a result she was able to welcome into her life his children: Graeme Dowling (Jean) and 4 grandchildren (Michael, Mathew, Christopher and Cara) and Barb Stothers (Scott) and 3 grandchildren (Aiden, Colin and Brendan). Anne and Floyd enjoyed 16 wonderful years together – spending time travelling, camping, laughing and with family. Anne was still enjoying being part of this extended family and becoming a great gramma Anne several times over.
Anne lived in Winnipeg until 2009 when she retired to Fernie, BC. Anne became very active in the Fernie Seniors Center – especially playing much loved dominoes. She also enjoyed her book club, knitting group, potlucks, cards, bingo, the Fernie Legion, coffee group every Tuesday at Aki’s, A&W coffee group, going for drives to spot wildlife, tea time at Micki’s, Hustler Hockey games, volunteering for the Fernie Hospice, dinners out, trips to Whitefish, MT, and Lake Koocanusa. Anne especially loved her little apartment at Trinity Lodge with her cat Smokie Joe, her flower garden and all her new Fernie friends.
Anne was an exceptional woman who loved family, friends, faith and fun. She was an incomparable mother and gramma, a devoted wife, and a loyal friend to countless people. She had a wonderful sense of humour and a kind spirit, always the first to welcome a new neighbor. She was a gracious hostess and loved Christmas and a birthday party. Anne had a terrific laugh and smile and loved a good joke or story. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Thank you for all you have been to us. We love you oh so dearly. Peace now be with you, for always.
Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made for children’s cancer care, in Anne’s memory, to BC Cancer Foundation, CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, or Childhood Cancer Canada Foundation.
Remember Her with a smile today, she was not one for tears
Reflect instead on memories of all the happy years.
Recall to mind the way She spoke and all the things She said
Her strength, Her stance, the way She walked remember these instead.
The good advice She’d give us, Her eyes that shone with laughter
So much of Her that never dies but lives on, ever after.
She was a woman of honesty, integrity and pride
Important, then, the way She lived not the way She died.
If a tear should fall today perhaps it shall be shed
For the many years without Her here that still lie far ahead.
Alfred Tennyson