Ann Appleby Surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, our beloved mother passed away on Monday, April 11, 2011 at Saskatoon, Sask. Mom lived a life of faith in God, courage, strength, perseverance, compassion, service and generosity. She was truly an inspiration to us and to those who knew her. Mom was born in Russia in 1915 during a time of war and upheaval. In 1925 Mom and her family fled Russia for Canada. They arrived in Saskatchewan where her father bought a farm in the Hague area. Sadly, only two years later, Mom lost her mother to TB. Mom and her siblings went to Pembroke School in Neuenlage where they learned English. After leaving home, Mom joined the Salvation Army and attended Training College in Toronto. As Lieutenant Neufeld, she served in Tisdale and Estevan. In 1940 Mom began nurse's training at the Salvation Army's Grace Hospital in Ottawa. Mom nursed in the maternity wards of Salvation Army hospitals in Ottawa, Vancouver, Regina and Saskatoon before marrying our father, Kenneth Appleby in 1948. Mom worked at Bethany Hospital while Dad attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. In 1950, Mom and Dad moved from Saskatoon to the farm in Estevan where Dad had grown up. It wasn't easy for a young woman who had enjoyed a career in the city to adapt to a rather lonely life on the farm. What was supposed to be a short-term stay until Dad's parents retired, turned into a lifelong commitment. Mom spent the next few years on the farm raising her family: a daughter and two sons. In 1962, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Incredibly, she survived for 49 years after surgery and radiation treatment. Mom returned to her nursing career later in the 1960s, working on the maternity ward of St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan. Mom and Dad moved into Estevan from the farm in the mid-1990s when Dad became ill. In 1997 they moved to Dalmeny, Sask., Dad to the nursing home and Mom to a condo. Mom faithfully visited Dad nearly every day for five years until his passing in 2002. In 2007 Mom broke her hip, but with great determination, she recovered and returned to her condo. Mom continued to live on her own until late January 2011. At the age of 95, she was still cooking and baking for her grandsons. Mom had friends of all ages and the gift of encouragement. She kept a list of family and friends beside her Bible and regularly prayed through the list. She could often be found tapping out letters on her little manual typewriter. Her world was large, her acceptance of others unquestioned and her generosity exceptional. Many people in developing countries were given the gift of sight through her and Dad's support of the Christian Blind Mission. The Salvation Army held a special place in Mom's heart, not only for the career it had given her, but for the Army's work in ministering to the less fortunate here and around the world. Mom sponsored children and supported students through the Army for decades. She was recently able to contact one of those impoverished African students, now retired after a career of national and international leadership with the Salvation Army in Africa. Her local church and many other organizations also benefited from Mom's giving spirit. Mom was predeceased by her parents, Sarah and Cornelius Neufeld; our father, Ken; and by all her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Ruth and husband Lorne Bitner of Dalmeny; son, Rod and wife Anne of Caronport; and son, Lyndon and wife Marilyn of Blairmore, Alta.; and by grandchildren Kelly (Nicole) and Kendall Bitner; Becky and Sara Appleby; Capt. Chris (Nicole) Appleby, Derek (Sharla) Appleby and Krystal Appleby and by great grandchildren Ainsley and Allisen; Emma, Josh, Jacob and Max. She is also survived by her sister Lily's children, Linda and Lee; and by her brother Dietrich?s wife Betty and daughters, Sally, Betty, Shirley, Lorna, Judy, Sharon, Sheila, and Cindy and by many other relatives and friends. Mom's legacy is now handed down to us. It is our responsibility to carry on her tradition of faith, service, and generosity. The celebration of Mom's life took place on Friday, April 15 at Dalmeny Bible Church, Dalmeny, Sask. Interment took place at Estevan City Cemetery on April 16. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate gifts to The Salvation Army or the Christian Blind Mission (cbmcanada.org), Box 800, Stouffville, ON, L4A 7Z9.
