We are brokenhearted by the unexpected passing of Ann Marczak on September 27, 2022, at the age of 80 years. Her radiant smile and open heart were a ray of sunshine and gift of love to all. We are comforted with knowing that Ann traveled through life with a faithful devotion to God, and in fact was found with a prayer book in her hand after her passing. She was joyfully filled with the Holy Spirit and is surely singing and dancing with the angels!
Ann was born on November 12, 1941 in Macklin, SK, to Francis and Josephine Fischer, and was raised in the neighbouring village of Denzil. Being the 4 th of 9 children born to her mother, and the 13 th of 18 to her father, who unfortunately had been widowed, Ann was always surrounded by a large family and many friends. Her motto of using ‘honey rather than vinegar’, along with her warm, generous, and friendly nature gave Ann a special knack of attracting people. This included a strapping young German, Rudi Marczak, who had immigrated to Canada in 1953. While Ann taught English to Rudi, he taught her the language of love, and they were married on her 18th birthday in 1959. After living in several places across western Canada where Rudi sought work, they eventually settled in Lac La Biche, AB, in 1966, maintaining an open-door policy where all were welcomed. Ann and Rudi raised their 2 children, Cherie Lynn (February 1963) and Lee Francis (January 1964), in Lac La Biche.
Ann was a very attentive and loving mother, encouraging Cherie and Lee to do their best, and was always proud of their accomplishments. More importantly she impressed upon them and modeled the value of family, being loving and supportive of those around them; how to be patient, understanding, respectful, and compassionate; how to be brave and strong and persevere in the face of adversity; and that it is in giving that we receive. What wonderful lessons!
Ann’s interests over the years were many, as were her friendships. She enjoyed: reading and journaling (up to her very last day); sports and activities like baseball, volleyball, yoga, tennis, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and going for walks; crafts; going to ‘the farm’; gardening; cooking and baking many sweet treats; music and live theatre; volunteering; doing jigsaw puzzles; singing in the church and community choirs; and attending the local cafes for coffee with friends where they completed the daily Edmonton Journal crossword puzzle. In her later years, Ann enjoyed watching hockey and baseball on TV, cheering for Albertan teams first, then Canadians, and last, always for the underdogs! Ann became known for her perfected hugging technique, losing many an earring in peoples’ clothing and scarves as she pulled you in tight. She didn’t let go until warmth and love had radiated from her heart into yours! How we will miss these special hugs!
She absolutely adored her 8 grandchildren, making many trips to Edmonton to stay with Cherie and Lee’s families, helping out wherever necessary and always bringing positivity with her. Summer holidays were especially cherished, when the grandchildren would all take a week-long turn, two at a time, to visit Grandma and Grandpa, where all would be filled with “bushels and bushels of love”! Ann was over the moon when she became a Great-Grandma in March 2020, to Dallas, her ‘Little Prince’.
After Rudi passed in July 2011, Ann’s family looked forward to her being closer to them and in April 2014, Ann moved to Edmonton where she resided at Lifestyle Options, Whitemud. She enjoyed many outings and visits-in with family and friends, especially if a ‘Tim’s French vanilla with half decaf’ was in hand! She grew to enjoy the company of many at Lifestyles, as well as the care offered by her family and the aides in her building, often referring to her caregivers as her ‘angels’. Ann was a kind and gentle woman, who was also filled with great strength. When times were tough, her faith and fortitude helped her persevere and overcome challenges that came her way. As the aches and pains crept in as she aged, she did her best to maintain a positive and nurturing attitude, always ending every visit with the hugest hug, a “God bless you”, and a reminder to drive carefully.
Ann’s memory will be cherished by her daughter, Cherie Kiryluk (Ed); son, Lee Marczak (Shannon Bannerman); grandchildren: Haley Kiryluk; Leah Kiryluk (Dylan Kutschinski); Stephanie Pedora (Tyler); Steven Marczak; Mitchell Marczak; Alexander Marczak; Lindsay Marczak; Jesse Marczak; and her great-grandson, Dallas. Ann will also be remembered by her siblings: Josie Hoppus, Ted Fischer, Herman Fischer, and Gus Fischer (Loretta); her brothers- in-law: Joseph Heilman, Rodger Stayer, and Bruno Marczak; and a blessed abundance of extended family and friends. Ann was predeceased by her husband, Rudi, in 2011; parents, Frank and Josephine Fischer; siblings: Agnes Stayer, Vincent Fischer, Jerry Fischer, and Rose Heilman; in-laws: Dick and Armella Marczak, and Helen Marczak. A memorial service was held on October 3, 2022, officiated by Pastor Dario St. Louis. We are missing you so much mom, grandma, sister, auntie, and friend, and look forward to the day when we will be joyously reunited! We love you forever and always . . .
