Anne Doris Falk

Anne was born to Johann and Helena Goerz on April 21, 1933 in Dalmeny, Saskatchewan, the youngest of 9 children. At the age of 9, the family moved to Black Creek on Vancouver Island, BC, where Abram was invited to pastor the newly established Mennonite Brethren congregation and lead a small bible school. The war and post-war years were difficult, and Anne was able to finish grade 8 before she began work as a nurse’s aid at the hospital in the nearby town of Campbell River. The church community and activities were the center of life and there she met Herman Falk—they married in 1955. Herman had completed Normal School and was an elementary school teacher while Anne took care of children and kept the home warm with lovely smells of delicious cooking and baking and much laughter.

As the children grew, Anne was able to spend time in the community, leading church activities like womens’ circle or being a teacher’s aid in a local school.

Anne and Herman loved camping, travelling, and exploring, be it the logging roads, parks, and beaches nearby or longer trips around BC or Canada. Local camping at Butle Lake, a backpack or tailgate lunch after a hike, or wiener roast at Miracle Beach are happy memories.

Anne was a lover of music and was an integral member of the church choir. She and Herman supported community arts, regularly attending local concerts. All her children enjoyed singing and instruments—a favorite memory is long Sunday afternoon drives singing folksongs and hymns in many harmonized voices.

Taking early retirement opened a world of new opportunities to travel and serve for Anne and Herman. In all, they were volunteers with MCC for 8 years in various locations (Akron, PA, Kitchener, ON, Abbotsford, BC). They enjoyed meeting new people and living in new communities. Eventually settling in Abbotsford, Anne continued to volunteer at the MCC Quilt Room and the MCC Thrift Store until well into her 80s.

Travelling continued to fill their lives in later years, especially cruising, and they were able to visit many exotic and interesting ports. Travelling also included visiting children and grandchildren and celebrating milestones such as graduations, weddings and births.

Anne and Herman moved to Primrose Place at Menno Home in June 2017.

Anne is predeceased by 2 sons, James (Jim) and Stanley, and by 8 brothers and sisters. She is mourned by her husband Herman, and 4 children, Patricia (Pat), Donna, Karen and George and their partners, children and grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Bakerview MB Church, 2285 Clearbrook Rd, Abbotsford BC.