Anna Mandick

Anna Mandick, age 91, died peacefully on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Shorncliffe Residential Care Facility in Sechelt, BC, with her family at her side. Anna was born January 13, 1924 in Leduc, AB, second youngest daughter of John and Mary Pyrcz. Anna attended Strathcona High School in Edmonton and then received her teaching certificate in 1943 from Edmonton Normal School. Her first teaching posts took her up north, where she often told us she taught in a “one room schoolhouse, grades 1 through 9”. In 1946 she married Walter Mandick, an aspiring newspaper publisher. Their life was destined to the newspaper trade and, although Mum was a teacher, she worked alongside Walter publishing first the Castor Advance and later in the 1960’s the Stony Plain Reporter. Here they “pioneered” an off-set method of printing, bringing to its readers a much improved newspaper. In addition to working with Walter in the newspaper business, they later together had a professional photography studio and an income tax business. Anna raised 3 children and was a talented artist and community member. She belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. She sang in the Light Opera Society in Edmonton and later with the Meridian Singers in Stony Plain. She was creative, first with pottery and later in life she did incredible stained glass work. Anna has left a legacy stained glass piece to every one of her 12 grandchildren. Anna is survived by her daughter Barbara (Allan) Holt; son James (Kerri) Mandick, and daughter Sandra (Eric) Magnussen. She leaves to mourn 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sisters Vera, Emily and Alexandra. Anna was predeceased by her husband Walter in 2004. A Funeral will be held at St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church in Nisku, AB on Monday, January 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with The Very Reverend Igor Kisil officiating. She will then be laid to rest next to Walter in the church cemetery. Thank you to the staff at Shorncliffe who took such wonderful care of her in her last few years. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to a charity of your choice. Mum was gracious, generous and positive, right to the end. The woods are lovely, dark and deep. She has kept her promises and earned her sleep.

Anna Mandick

January 13, 1924 - December 17, 2015