Obituary of Anne SWEET (nee Gerk)

1923 - Marienfeld, Saratov, Russia

2020 – Calgary, Alberta

With great sadness, we announce the death of our mother Anne Sweet (nee Gerk) on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at the age of 96 years.

Anne was born in the Volga German community of Marienfeld, Russia in 1923. At the age of 5, she and her family immigrated to Canada and eventually settled in the Peace River District. The oldest of 14 children, Anne spent her childhood helping on the farm and caring for her siblings. During WWII, she served in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps as a telephone operator at Army HQ Calgary. After the war, she married C.J. (Jack) Sweet, a veteran of the First Special Service Force, and they had four children. In 1952, Jack built the family a house in the new community of Windsor Park at the southern edge of the city. Once her older children had left home, Anne started a new phase of her life as a receptionist at Bethany Care Centre. She loved her work, and greatly enjoyed running the strawberry teas for the seniors. She was famous for her delicious baking. She lived in the Windsor Park house until 2018 when ill health required a move to Carewest-Garrison Green.

Anne was predeceased by her husband Jack in 2015. She is survived by her daughters, Jacquie, Connie, Karen (Rick), Cathy (Jim); six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, her brothers, Wendlin (Annie) and Frank (Jean); and her much beloved sister Millie (Ron).

We wish to express our deep gratitude to Dr. Meshesha, the staff of Carewest Garrison Green, and Mom’s hair stylist Wayne Wagner for their kind and exceptional care of our mother. We would also like to express our profound thanks to our mother’s long-time companion Mariam Sheik for her dedication and loving service. At Mom's request, there will not be a funeral or memorial service. Cremation has taken place. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Anne’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.