Anne Esaiw, a caring and generous daughter, sister, aunt and friend departed this life peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on October 12, 2022, at the age of 98 years. She passed away in Edmonton, the city she called home for almost 80 years.

Born in Melville, SK September 10, 1924, to immigrant Wasyl Esaiw and first-generation Canadian Mary (Chicilo) Esaiw, Anne was the eldest of three daughters. Following early school days in Melville, SK she completed her secondary education at the Sacred Heart Academy, Yorkton, SK and at age 18, moved to Saskatoon, SK for one year and subsequently Edmonton, AB where she began a long career with the Bank of Montreal. Anne worked at the Jasper Avenue branch in Edmonton until her retirement in 1984, following 42 years of service.

Anne’s life was characterized by values nurtured in so many Ukrainian homes on the Prairies, chief among which was the selfless care and devotion exhibited toward family. Her hands were always busy whether in pursuit of domestic chores in the annual cycle of family gatherings, the creation of beautiful handmade goods gifted so generously, or simply enjoying a game of cribbage, at which she delighted leaving an opponent behind the skunk line. Naturally, she shared the family passion for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Anne possessed a keen sense of personal style befitting the professional woman she was, taking care in the selection of elegant, but practical, clothing and jewelry, always ready for a shoe-shopping expedition to Saskatoon in the company of her sisters. She reveled in the chance to adorn herself with 1890’s finery during Edmonton’s annual Klondike Days.

She enjoyed traveling and visited many parts of Canada and numerous foreign destinations over the years.
In all aspects of her life, Anne maintained a simple strong faith, practising the prayers learned as a child, the recitation of the Rosary- a feature of every day until her last. She shared a belief in a loving and merciful God, to whom she longed to return, to be reunited with those who had predeceased her including her mother and father, Mary and Wasyl Esaiw; her beloved sister, Elizabeth; and brother-in-law, Alex Yachyshen.

Anne’s family will mourn her loss, but their overarching sentiment will be gratitude for the time spent with her and for the many gifts she bestowed on them so freely. She is survived by her sister, Olga Yachyshen; nephews, and nieces, David Yachyshen (Grace Yachyshen), Gloria Yachyshen Stuart Kinney, Brian Yachyshen (Jackie McCrea) and Debra Hoek (John Hoek); as well as grandniece and grandnephews, Lee Kinney (Kristen Corey), Ross Kinney (Katie Edney), Kendra Hoek (Aidan Fraser), Dylan Yachyshen and Cameron Hoek.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 21, 2022, at 1 p.m. at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church, 13131- 86 Street, Edmonton. Interment to follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery, 13819 - 82 Street NW, Edmonton.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Anne’s memory are encouraged to support Diabetes Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Diabetes Canada

Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada