T o view Anna's Funeral Livestream click here on Tuesday January 19, 2021 @ 11 am: Anna Nowickyj Funeral Service

Anna was born in a tiny village called Iffelsdorf, Bavaria, Germany. She lived most of her childhood in another village, 2 kilometers away called Pfreimd. Being the oldest child of 6 sisters and 1 brother, her parents expected her to not only go to school but also work. Anna worked for a wealthy family household in Pfreimd and learned to become an excellent cook.

After surviving the trauma of World War II, Anna moved to the big city of Munich to find a better job.  Anna lived and worked together with some of her sisters in Munich and sent money back home. Then one day she met the love of her life in a German Beer Garden. Stefan was a German prisoner of war (POW), who was caught by the Germans in his own country of Ukraine. Stefan was also called an "ausländer" or foreigner, however LOVE persisted between the two. Stefan who lived in the German POW barracks in Munich, only had the following possessions: motorcycle, typewriter and camera.

Because the German economy had collapsed, Anna's parents had encouraged their children to go work in 'North America'.  Anna married Stefan and had a great wedding with all her family included. In 1957, they had their first child Jurij in Munich and then two years later they took a ship to Canada. Stefan worked for a Ukrainian print shop and Anna worked at the historical Toronto King Edward Hotel. Then in 1965 the family grew with their second child Roman. Anna's sister Wally immigrated to Buffalo New York before Anna did and both families made it a tradition to visit each other on a regular basis. Anna and Wally both had two children and because they were the same age both cousins (Jurij & Linda and Roman & Susan) were like brothers and sisters. Anna's other sisters and even brother came to live in Toronto, Buffalo and Chicago, but eventually returned to their homeland.

Anna and Stefan believed that walking in nature was one of the best remedies for mind, body and soul. Therefore, almost every weekend the whole family would drive out to the beautiful forests that were preserved by our Ontario government. They would bring their own food, but once in awhile they would buy a big bucket of KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) for the picnic lunches and then walk for the rest of the day. Anna continued her love of walking through the years going many kilometres daily in her neighbourhood and interacting with the people she met along the way.

Anna had such a passion for cooking that she learned to make not only wonderful German dishes, but also Ukrainian, Italian and even Chinese recipes . When Anna's children married and left the house, she felt obligated to provide home-cooked "care packages" every time they would visit. Fridges and freezers were well stocked. Her biggest joy was having her grandchildren come over and help her prepare homemade German dishes: goulash, apple pancakes and spaetzle noodles along with Ukrainian perogies, Italian lasagna, and her own style of homemade chicken soup broth. Anna started her German written cookbook when she was still living in Munich Germany.

In 2013 Anna was diagnosed with Dementia and her biggest turning point was in 2016-17, when she realized she had difficulty recalling specific measurements in her ingredients. Her own recipes did not have written detail and required "a pinch of this or that ingredient" which was now difficult for her to remember.  Her children and grandchildren assisted her while she cooked and started documenting favourite recipes.

Anna had her first heart attack in 1996 and following that a quadruple bypass surgery. Anna had a second and third heart attack in 2007 and 2011 respectively, but her will to live was very strong. After the death of her husband Stefan in 2003 (Colon cancer), she continued to live independently in her house, which was next door to Roman and his family. Anna was cared for and was able to be a part of their daily lives and enjoyed watching her younger grandchildren grow. Anna had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren Adrian, Ariana, Cameron and Kaitlyn. She always looked forward to spending time with them; her eyes would light up as they entered the room.

In 2018, Anna was accepted as a resident in the amazing Waterford Long Term Care Home due to her progressing dementia. Anna continued to stay connected with her community, because her family made sure she joined them for church, shopping, visiting family and friends and most important walking the beautiful parks and forests in the Oakville community.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated by her family.