Anne Katherine Packer
November 27, 1932 – July 31, 2024
Our dear mother, grandmother, great grandma, aunt and friend left us after a long, well lived life. Predeceased by her daughter Naomi in 2006, and her husband John in 2019. Anne was born in St. Boniface Manitoba during the depression. Her family were pioneer farmers from the early 1900’s, who believed strongly in education. To that end,
Anne obtained a BSc in Agriculture at University of Manitoba, and went on to win a scholarship to University in England in the mid 1950’s to obtain a Master’s degree.
There she met John, a fellow student who soon accepted a position in Dublin where they married and had their first born son, Keir. The family moved to Edmonton in 1957
where John became a botany professor at the UofA.
In Edmonton, their family grew with the arrival of Tom, Jim and sister Naomi. They enjoyed summers camping throughout western Canada and acquired recreational land
near Bruderheim where they spent a decade building a log cabin by hand. This was Anne’s special place to enjoy with family and friends.
Anne was an exceptionally intelligent person who continuously questioned societal norms which lead her to become a passionate social activist. Her commitment to
environmental protection, social justice and peace left an indelible mark on countless lives. Her dedication to making this world a better place was further evidenced by her
last large contribution: donating her beloved family ‘farm’ east of Bruderheim to the Alberta Conservation Assoc.
In later life, Anne and John enjoyed winters in San Miguel in Mexico where Anne honed her spanish. Following her long career at Alberta Dept. of Agriculture, Anne flourished as a beloved grandma. She always said “if I knew how wonderful grandchildren were, I would’ve had them first”. Utilizing her extensive horticultural knowledge she designed a beautiful garden which she enjoyed everyday, along with the birds that visited.
A truly remarkable woman, Anne will be deeply missed by all that were lucky enough to have her in their lives. She leaves to mourn her loss sons Keir (Judy), Tom (Bette), Jim, grandchildren Valerie, Clare, Stephen, Seth and great grandson baby Hugh.
Celebration of Anne’s Life
2:00PM Monday August 12, 2024
Trinity Funeral Home
10530 116 ST NW Edmonton, AB
In lieu of flowers, Anne would be pleased for you to donate to one of the many causes she supported: Change for Children cfca@changeforchildren.org
As part of the Uof M group in Edmonton, we enjoyed visiting with Anne at our
lunches. We will miss her.
Deepest condolences on the passing of Anne, an exceptional woman and activist. May her family and friends be comforted by the many wonderful memories she inspires.
Unfortunately, we are unable to attend the memorial for Anne, but do send our thoughts and sympathies.
In Solidarity: Andrea Waywanko and Greg McMaster
We will certainly miss Anne, her emails, phone calls and visits, along with the photos of flowers that we had passed on to her each summer. She was a great neighbour and so appreciative of the little things. We had good visits with her, and with John when he was still here.
Our condolences to the entire family in this time of grief, but know that she lived her life with enthusiasm, and has left a legacy with all of us.
An extraordinary woman, and a genuine friend, she has left an indelible mark in my and our human journey. Visiting over the years, she was a blessing of perspectives and words of wisdom, and her permanent solidarity with the vulnerable, the politically marginalized, the persecuted because of divergent political views were well known to many of us who had a chance to get to know her and become fellow-travellers. To her family, deepest condolences – to Anne’s friends, deepest sympathies. She will be missed, yet; she will be present in our continuing journeys of doing good with kindness and compassion. – Leo Campos A. & Carmen Gonzalez Miranda