Anne Elizabeth Dobni

Anne was from the wrong side of the tracks but had all the right stuff: physical beauty, a first-rate intellect, a unique style, lofty ideals, a broad mind, an open heart, and strength of character. She paved her way through life with her marvelous sense of humor, finding a way to inject laughter into almost any situation.

After she completed Grade 12, Anne took a job in the bank and a transfer to Kindersley. There she met John, one of the Dobni boys. They married in 1949 and had six children. It was a bustling household, and Anne fulfilled the roles of wife and mother in a way that was both enlightened and a product of the times. Anne launched her baby boomers into promising and productive adult lives and shared fully in their ensuing joys and sorrows. She was widowed after thirty-one years of marriage but found her footing quickly and thrived in her independence.

Anne’s favorite things included shopping, chocolate, Cosmos flowers, watching the lake water, coffee row, and M*A*S*H. She also loved golfing, but it was unrequited. Anne was an avid reader and a news junkie, and she had a genuine interest in the views of others. She placed a high value on education and was delighted all her kids earned university degrees. Anne travelled to many parts of the world and was deeply moved by these experiences. She was a resourceful problem solver and innovator, and it was amazing and often amusing to see her DIY fixes and remodels. The creations that emerged from Anne’s sewing machine and kitchen were divine, elevating every occasion and confirming her elegance and singularity.

Anne tended to civic life, serving on the local and divisional school boards and the Housing Authority, and joining several service clubs and community organizations. In these and all endeavours her progressive thinking was sometimes controversial, but always indispensable. She spent 60 years in Kindersley, and often recalled with fondness her many good friends there, particularly her colleagues in the CWL whom she regarded as the most remarkable women.

In 2008 Anne moved to Saskatoon to live with her daughter and enlivened all involved in her well-being. Her life in Saskatoon was a great adventure, and she felt blessed that the care she gave her kids over the years was being reciprocated.

In her old age Anne was fragile but amazingly resilient and she seemed unbreakable at core. Anne was inspired by her extraordinary physician, Dr. Clint McDonald, who treated her with kindness and brilliance, and always went above and beyond to ensure she received the best care possible. Anne was grateful for caregiver Fawn Knaggs, who brightened her days for many years and became a cherished family friend, and she was strengthened by the angels from Our Lady of Lourdes Church who brought her weekly communion. Thank you also to the many friends and strangers along Anne’s aging journey who offered acts or words of kindness—you made Anne feel seen in her declining years and you made the world a better place.

Anne was the hero of the family. She leaves behind her children and their spouses, Bill, Debbie (Morley), Dawn, Camille (Ron), Brooke (Lorrie) and Evan, seven grandchildren (Gavin, Tekla, Bart, Scott, Paul, Toran, Bennett), nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Anne was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her five siblings—Paul Skulski, Alice Lewis, Olga Friesen, Mike Skulski, and Nick Skulski—and all her in-laws.

Anne had great wisdom and humanity, and has been a rock to many. She was deeply loved, made us immensely proud, and will be profoundly missed. Rest in peace, dear Mother.

A Funeral Mass for Anne will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28th at Our Lady of Lourdes Church (1224 12th St. E., Saskatoon) with Fr. Daniel Yasinski as Celebrant.