Anne Atkinson passed away peacefully on July 15, 2024, after complications from a stroke.
Born May 4, 1938, Anne was a force to be reckoned with, and embraced every life-challenge with grace and positivity. Impacted by polio at an early age, she made a lifestyle out of beating the odds. She was the eldest of five and held the role of responsible older sister to her four younger siblings, who grew from a âshenanigans crewâ to truly devoted friends of Anne's in their adult years.
A proud graduate of Queenâs, Anne embraced her experience there, not only the academia but also by her participation in many extra curricular activities, including her role as chief editor of the Queenâs yearbook. She was an ongoing participant in alumni activities until her passing, and cultivated life-long friendships with her Queenâs peers.
During her time at university she met John, the love of her life and world travelling companion. They married in 1960 and began their adventures together, raising two daughters, entering successful business ventures, and discovering many far away lands.
Anne was a passionate volunteer and leader; being married to a physician at the Ottawa Civic Hospital led her to many roles in the hospital and healthcare fields over the years. Her positions ranged from president of the local, provincial, and federal auxiliaries to nurse recruiter for the Ottawa Civic Hospital.
The consummate entrepreneur, Anne started two businesses: she co-founded Elan Associates, with her friend Judy, an Ottawa planning company hosting many galas over the years; she also owned (with John) JAHCP, a medical management firm, which worked across the country changing how medicine was delivered in the â90s.
Anne contributed to the Hanne Howard fund in Kenya and loved receiving letters from the children she supported at the orphanage and school. She enjoyed visiting parts of Africa and meeting the school children she was corresponding with; watching them grow up, become educated, and lead successful lives was such a delight for her.
Anne and John shared a fondness for animals, which resulted in them having many four-legged family members over the years â she adored these companions! Her pets played an important role in her life, especially in her senior years.
A clever lady, Anne was an avid bridge player, a serious scrabble competitor, and a current events enthusiast. Scrabble was a regular activity she engaged in with her daughters, which truly was a blood sport.
She authored a cook book and was extremely proud and passionate about this project. Eating In was inspired by her desire to assist her widowed friends make their way around the kitchen, trying to teach themselves how to cook.
She was a master of the English language, and could be an intimidating conversationalist. Anne engaged in many social activities and events where a stimulating discussion was always the highlight for her.
Her fondness for her siblings and their families led her to participate in family reunions, events, and out of town visits. Anne's upcoming summer focus was to attend a nephew's wedding in Michigan with her adored brothers. She was overjoyed with her plan to attend!
Her travels led her far and wide, but a place she held dear in her heart was Biddeford Pool, Maine. Anne had a community of friends there, and for 63 years it was her âhappy placeâ and her second home.
Anne's passion for living life to the fullest was demonstrated by her upcoming travel plans to Hawaii and Maine, and last year's cruise from Italy to the Canary Islands and back across the Atlantic. Anne endeared herself to many of her daughters' friends while in Georgian Bay at Allison's, and during Beth's gatherings in her Manotick home. Her absence will be deeply felt by these friends.
Anne is survived by her two daughters, Allison Atkinson (Fred), Elizabeth (Beth) Atkinson (Rob); her cherished siblings, David and Judy Horton, Ted Horton and Hanne, Jeff and Donna Horton, and their respective families; her treasured grandsons, Jake Atkinson (Meghan, Ainsley, and Mason), Monty, and Basil White. She leaves behind many close friends that were considered family: Laurie Liberty, Jean Wellington, Muriel and Jim Cregan, Derk Duermeyer and her affectionate cat Ginger. She was predeceased by her parents, Marjorie and Edward Horton; her biological mother, Anne MacSween; sister, Mary Duncan; and her beloved husband and life partner, John.