Anne Rutherford
October 10th, 1917 - June 13th, 2022
A Remembrance of a long sweet life filled with a beautiful smile always for everyone and lots of love.
Anne was born on a farm North of Bagot, daughter of Thomas and Louisa Paul on October 22, 1917. When her father died in 1919 her mother moved to Portage la Prairie with her two small children, Henry and Annie. Anne lived there until she was 98 years old when she moved to Winnipeg to Dakota House. She received her education at the old Central School and at P.C.I. Later she attended Miss McKay’s Business School. She worked for some time at Lyon’s Garage and spent several years in the office at Portage Soda Water Works.
On January 17,1945 she married Andrew Rutherford, a handsome pilot from MacDonald Airport. After the war and Andy’s discharge, on January 25, 1946 Andy and Anne, added to their family twin daughters, Helen Jane and Hilda Joann. The family farmed for several sweet years west of Portage where Jane and Joann still to this day have fond memories of farm life. Later when Andy took over the business of Ideal Moving and Storage, Anne worked in his office.
Anne was a member of Trinity United Church- she spent many hours helping there in the office and was a faithful member of Unit B. She was also an original member of a Birthday Club that lasted over 60 years.
She had 6 grandchildren, Jennifer Schraml (Eric), Andrew Crittall (Careen) Thomas Crittall and Paul MacDiarmid (Darla), Sara Yanke (Chris) Kevin MacDiarmid (Lindsay). She adored these grandchildren and spent her time as a first priority always with them. Later, she had 17 Great grandchildren, Nicholas and Nathan Schraml, Madi and Mason Crittall, Christina and Anthony Crittall, Liam, Saryn, Lewis, Tess, Saffron and Drew MacDiarmid, Kayla Hanlon (Justin), Matthew and Grace Yanke, and Will and Casey Macdiarmid.
Anne loved to take pictures whenever the occasion arose. She made many well chronicled photo albums which represented the growth of the two generations of grandchildren as well as the joy of her beloved extended family. She also kept scrapbooks going back to the early 60’s and daily diaries that always included the weather. Anne had an amazing mind for mathematics and could do calculations at lightning speed in her head. This cognitive ability made her an exceptional bridge player, which she loved to do not for the competition’s sake but for the joy of being with others. Whenever she won, no matter who her partner was, she would just sit quietly and smile her beautiful smile.
Anne was a wonderful hostess and spent many, many happy summers at their beloved cottage at Delta Beach, surrounded by the love of relatives and friends. Her amazing pies, buns and raspberry jam were always readily available for anyone who came to call and visit. After Andy’s retirement, they travelled south to Texas and Florida for winter holidays in their motor home. Later years they took a winter holiday in Victoria.
Anne loved to knit and spent many happy hours knitting afghans for her grandchildren. Anne loved flowers and animals and loved to be surrounded by them.
Anne moved to Winnipeg when she was 98 and lived at Dakota House for a short time and then spent many happy years living with her daughters, Jane in Winnipeg, and Joann in Thunder Bay. There were lots of happy trips between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay.
After her 100th birthday party at Delta, she had a fall and ended up in the hospital. She then moved to Deer Lodge, which allowed her to be accepted into the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg. This was an amazing home for her for almost 4 years. The love and joy of the wonderful people who worked there made it feel like home for Anne as well as for all who visited her. The staff all loved her and she ministered to them by blessing them always with her wonderful smile.
We all have the joy of looking forward to being with her again in Heaven as she accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour from the sinful life of this world several years ago. What joy we will have as we sing together on that “celestial shore” at the feet of Jesus.
The funeral Service for Anne Rutherford took place on Saturday, June 18th, 2022, at 1:00 pm in the Rotary Multi-purpose Room at the Stride Place on Island Park in Portage la Prairie, with viewing held 1 hour prior to the service. There was a burial at Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Portage la Prairie following the reception. The service was livestreamed. The link for this can be found on the obituary page for Anne on our website www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com
If anyone would like to make a monetary donation in Anne’s memory, the family asks that donations be made to The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, 276 Hugo St N, Winnipeg, MB R3M 2N6.
To share memories or leave condolences for Anne's family, please visit www.ronaldmoffitmemorialservices.com
Ronald Moffit Memorial Services in care of arrangements.