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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Anne Southern (nee Ferguson), beloved wife of James Southern, on April 15, 2014 at home in Cranbrook, BC at 90 years of age.


Anne was born in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham, England on December 21, 1923. She moved to Calgary, AB at a young age, where she grew up and went to high school. She married Albert Rees in 1942, and they then moved back to England for WW II. They immigrated to Canada in 1947, where they raised their twin boys. Anne worked at a telephone answering service for most of her career, advancing to manager of the City Wide Telephone Answering Service in Calgary. Following the death of her husband and her retirement, she moved to Saltspring lsland, BC in 1980. It was at the bowling alley where she met the love of her life James Southern. They were married in 1993 and continued to live on Saltspring Island while snowbirding in California. They moved to Crofton and then to Powell River before finally moving to Cranbrook in 2010.


Missing Anne dearly are her husband James, son John (Lina), grandchildren Mark (Anne-Marie), Kim (Dave), Jenifer (Bill), Janice, Gareth (Emily), 10 great grandchildren and many other relatives and friends. Anne was predeceased by her first husband Albert, son David, brother Matty and sister Mary.


We would like to thank Dr. Shilhan for her extraordinary care of Anne during the past four years. We would also like to thank all of the home support staff and home care nurses, with their care enabling Anne to stay at home.


A small family Celebration of Life was held on April 21, 2014 at St. Eugene Resort. There was no service by request.



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