Peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, Anne Moffatt (nee McKillop) left this life on March 2, to join her husband, Don, whom she had dearly missed for the past 5 years. She was the beloved mother of her 3 daughters, Sue (Rob Brison), Barb (Doug Dunlop) and Nancy; grandmother of Meg (Scott Symes) and Mike; and great-grandmother of Jack and Evan (Symes). She was pre-deceased by her older brother, John McKillop.
Anne was the first woman to graduate from the Honours Business Administration program of the University of Western Ontario; Don was a classmate. They married in 1953 and for 10 years, they lived in 7 different locations throughout Ontario and the Maritimes for Don’s job of opening Simpson’s Sears stores. During this time, Anne gave birth to three daughters and began instilling many life lessons in them (e.g., “Think of the other guy first” and “Pick your battles”). Tired with all the moving, Anne suggested Don find a different job and they settled in Toronto in 1961.
Once Nancy was in grade 2, Anne began full-time work in accounting, a career she enjoyed until her retirement at age 63. She somehow managed her full-time job while providing a dinner every night on time including meat, two vegetables, a potato and dessert! (Once in their own careers, her daughters never figured out how she managed to do this.) The ‘kids’ did the dishes each night, Saturday housework jobs, and were inspired to always do their best. As a working mother in the 1960’s, Anne truly did it all. She sewed Easter dresses every year, slipcovers and curtains for the house, made Halloween costumes, and knitted sweaters and mitts. She loved going to auctions and learning how to refinish her purchases. She and Don created a lifetime of happy memories at the family cottage at Bruce Beach on Lake Huron – she loved to swim each morning, water ski on calm days and even windsurfed for a few years. Sharing the cottage with extended family and the comradery of good neighbours created many special memories.
A person of deep and private faith, Anne gave her time and talents generously to the Presbyterian church and to family and friends through countless practical acts of kindness. Anne had a determined will, a perceptive wit, and a wise heart. She believed in always doing one’s best and maintaining a grateful spirit. Donations to Hospice Waterloo would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
Her service will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday March 24 at Knox Presbyterian Church, Waterloo ON, with a reception to follow at the church. The service will be live streamed from the church website: http://knoxwaterloo.ca.