Annie Plas Eckart

Although we are deeply saddened by the death of Annie, we celebrate the life she lived so fully. She was a generous, unconventional, independent, and very witty woman who was an inspiration to generations of family, friends, and loved ones.

Annie started this life on September 16, 1938 in Slagharen, Overijsel, The Netherlands. As the second oldest in what became a family of 14 children, Annie assumed the role of “big sister” with gusto. At the age of 17 she immigrated to Canada with her parents and siblings – first to Nova Scotia, and a year later Annie was sent ahead to Ontario with her brother and sister to find a suitable home for the family.

Annie fearlessly embraced life and rejected the status quo. In the mid 1960s she abandoned the traditional workforce and started her own business, Ancaster Driving School, sharing her passion for driving by teaching a generation to drive. Ironically, Annie had to undergo mandatory driver testing at age 80, and she just received her new licence days before she died. Road trips with Annie were a cherished family tradition and those lucky enough to score a spot in the car were treated to pit stops for ice cream cones, bottles of Orange Crush and songs sung at the top of our lungs. We all learned that you can’t get to heaven on roller skates or in an old Ford car and that someone is in the kitchen with Dinah!

In 1975 Heinz Eckart and his young daughter Andrea came into Annie’s life. They shared many adventures together. Annie was incredibly proud of Andrea and later Annie adored her role as “Grannie Annie”. She loved going to all of the grandkids’ sporting and various events and boasted of their accomplishments.

Annie nurtured plants and people with equal abandon. There was nothing she couldn’t grow – and there was no person who could leave Annie’s company without feeling better. She especially loved the company of children – and they in return loved her quick, often irreverent humour and amazing generosity. She set an example for all of us to take on challenges, figure out how to do things, and see the humour no matter what life throws at you.

Although Annie faced many health issues in later years, she remained positive and engaged in the lives of her large, extended family and wide circle of friends. We’d like to thank everyone who supported Annie – especially to her friends at Woodlands Estates, Copetown who helped her live independently until the end. You were like family to her. Thank you to Dr. Bonnie Loewith and all of the incredible medical teams who cared for Annie so well.

Annie leaves behind Andrea and her husband Paul Donato. Their children Nathan, Charlie, Margarete, Jefferson, and Georgia will miss “Grannie Annie” (especially her awesome jokes). The Plas family has lost their matriarch. She will be missed by her siblings and their families; Herman, Tinie, Angela, Harry, Bernie, Ria, Anton, Gerda, John, Femie, Jeanette, & Henriette. Her countless nieces, nephews, in-laws and extended families have lost a great friend. With so many people in her life, it’s remarkable that everyone has a personal “Annie story”. We will miss her incredibly.

Annie was predeceased by Heinz, her parents Hendrik & Marie Plas, and younger brother Henk.

We are certain that Annie would approve of this quote. It’s as if it was written for her.

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a ride!”

Visitation will be held on Wednesday February 6, 2019 from 10 am to noon at

Marlatt Funeral Home, Swackhamer Chapel, 195 King St.W, Dundas, ON. A celebration of Annie’s life will follow in the Chapel at noon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and Walk Through The Red Door for Autism Foundation.