Obituary of Winifred Anderson

August 29, 1930 – Selby, Yorkshire, England

May 16, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Winifred Anderson of Calgary, AB, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2022, at the age of 91 years.

If you have ever had the pleasure of taking Winn to the mall, you know there are two things that will happen:

1. She will run into someone she knows from her illustrious time as the Aquatics Director of the YMCA, notable at a time when female mill weavers from Selby weren’t exactly on the top talent list in 1960’s Cowtown, but where she rose through the ranks due to her tenacity, generosity of spirit, and where she inspired a formidable army of volunteers and community around the annual Synchronized Swimming Watershow and regular Swim Meets, and; 

2. She will leave you in the dust as you are busy articulating the time and place you will meet up, after she has demanded you leave her be, as she disappears with a shoe squeak, darting off after more interesting company and some new shoes as her old ones have worn out on her many walks around the Glenmore Dam, down the river path from her house to the downtown – or more specifically to the Pub in Inglewood – and around the campus in her later career as lunch supervisor and occasional referee on the school playground at Chinook Park School. 

Winn was kind and hilarious, a good combination for engaging all manner of people, but particularly young people as she engaged with them on equal footing, soliciting their opinions, telling them jokes, and making them feel as if they were the most important person – a trait that secured her legions of fans at the Y over the years, at the Jewish Centre where she found her second home, and then at Chinook Park.  Some of your earliest memories may be Winn pulling you aside to say, “Don’t tell your Mom, but ‘What does a fish say when it runs into a wall?  Dam!’” followed by a burst of laughter and a conspiratorial wink. 

Winn loved that she inspired volunteers at the Y to build the community there and she contributed her time to causes she supported in equal measure, including at the Women In Need store, where she also discovered a permanent supply of well priced sunglasses, and at St. Peter’s Church for their rummage sales and other fundraising.  St. Peter’s was near and dear to her heart as for many years her beloved husband, Brian, trod the boards in theatrical productions there including a memorable turn as Ebeneezer Scrooge. 

Winn loved all things big and bold – WWE wrestling!  Horse Racing!  AC/DC!  She lived a life full of love and laughter and is fondly remembered by those mourning her as she moves on to her next chapter while leaving her inspiration to her family.  Previously departed by her husband Brian Anderson, son Dennis Anderson, and daughter Margaret Galway.  Survived by grieving daughter Shirley Krahn (Hartley Krahn), daughter in law Donna Nelson, son in law Donn Galway (Barb Hanger); and grandchildren: Tricia Moffat (Christopher Moffat) with great grand children Andie, Freddie, and Joey; Karen Fozard (Philip Fozard); Kelly Galway (Shannon Galway) with great grandchildren Micha and Avery; Carolyn Krahn (Al Caissie) and Zaphia Caissie; Kendall Krahn (Stephanie Krahn) with great grandchildren Joni and Jake; and Tom Hanger (Sarah Hanger); and many friends, conspirators, and confidantes including her best friend Wanda Metcalf and life long friends Jim and Doreen Lund and Irvin and Lucille Lund. 

We will be toasting Winn and a life well lived on June 26.  If you would like to celebrate your memories of Winn please join us at the Carriage House Inn (9030 Macleod Trail, Calgary, AB from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and reach out to karen.krahn@gmail for any questions or details.  Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions to: Women in Need Society, 134 – 71 Avenue Fisher Park S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2H8 Telephone: (403) 255-7514; A.A.R.C.S. – Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, 5060 – 74th Avenue S.E., Calgary, AB T2C 3C9, Telephone: (403) 250-7377, www.aarcs.ca/donate; or to a charity of your choice are suggested. 

In living memory of Winifred Anderson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.