Anna Kwas

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Anna Kwas at the age of 96 on February 14, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was beloved mom to William (Catherine), Theresa (Ton), Bobby (Terry) and Nadia; proud Baba to Nykol, Scott, Ryan, Jordan, Nicholas, Taylor and Lesia; and delighted great-Baba to Theresa, Victoria, Kaleb and Sawyer.

Anna was born in Shnyriv, Ukraine. During the war, at the age of 14, she was taken from her family by the German army and forced to work on a farm in Germany. Following the war, while at a displaced persons camp, Anna met her soulmate, Nykola, also from the Ukraine. Anna and Nykola were married in 1948.  They immigrated to Canada in 1949 from Germany via the English Ship Samaria, landing in Quebec City and then boarding a train to Glendon, Alberta. They did not stay there long before moving to Exshaw, Alberta where they raised their family. At age 40, Anna got her driver’s license so she could drive a group of her friends to Banff where they were housekeepers for a number of hotels. She retired after being employed by the Banff Springs Hotel for a number of years. After Nykola’s challenges with recovering from 2 strokes, they moved to Cochrane in 1990 to be closer to family. 

Anna was a  devout Catholic and an active member of the Catholic community for years. Her faith gave her the strength and courage to overcome the hardships that she faced throughout her life. The bravery that came from her departure from Ukraine and immigration to Canada and the strength to be the sole caregiver for her husband after his strokes was admired by her family and those that knew her.

Anna was very proud of her Ukrainian heritage. She showcased this with her talents in embroidering Ukrainian tablecloths, cushion covers, and blouses as well as crocheting intricate doilies of all sizes. In the kitchen, she would make borscht, cabbage rolls, perogies (No one made better perogies than Baba!) and other tasty Ukrainian pastries to host her big family get-togethers. Fruits of her labour from her garden would be used to make these family favourite dishes. She walked a number of miles every day throughout Cochrane, picking up trash and recycling. She loved to dance, play bingo and nothing pleased her more than an outing to a casino with family or friends.  

The family would like to thank the staff at The Big Hill Lodge in Cochrane, especially her nursing care attendants, for their wonderful and heartfelt care of Anna.  A very special thank you to Anna’s doctor, Nanji Lombin, for her continuing care and support. Her thoughtfulness will always be remembered. Thank you to Dr. Bryant and Nurse Practitioner Trisha for helping Anna in her last month,  and to Cochrane’s Home Care staff Holly, Alyson and Celine for their continued response to Anna’s needs as her health declined.

A celebration of Anna’s life will follow in the spring or summer of this year.

Flowers are gratefully declined in favor of donating to a charity of your choice.