It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Anna Frances Saltzberg on May 23, 2019 at the age of 57. Anna was born and spent her entire life in Winnipeg. Anna was lovingly named after her father’s mother who perished in the holocaust.
Anna attended Garden City Collegiate and graduated high school at the University of Winnipeg Collegiate.
Anna suffered from Schizophrenia for most of her life. She was in and out of hospital for many years until she was stabilized such that she could live on her own. Anna was able to live independently with the help of an incredible organization called PACT, that supported those with mental illness to live on their own in the community.
Anna was a sweet kind and generous soul. She had a childlike demeanor that was so endearing to all those she met. She brought a smile to everyone as she shopped in her neighbourhood daily. She gave away mostly everything she bought as her greatest passion was to give to others. Anna would send weekly envelopes to her brothers, cousins and friends filled with items that included paper, pencils, elastics, garbage bags, Kleenex and stickers. Wherever she went she filled her shopping bags with these items and gave them away to people she met on her way. It was difficult to refuse her gifts as she would not take no for an answer. The only hope was that a compromise would be reached and that the recipient would accept one rather than 6 items.
Anna cared deeply for animals and especially dogs and cats. She constantly bought cat and dog food and would place it under garbage bins so stray animals would have something to eat. She was well known and loved by the team at the Winnipeg Humane Society. She loved visiting and spending time with the animals waiting to be found or adopted. Anna loved music and would spend her days calling radio stations making song requests and attempting to win prizes.
Despite her illness Anna was the essence of what is good in this world. Her heart was full of pure love for other people and animals.
The family are extremely and eternally grateful to her amazing care team from PACT. They helped Anna to live on her own with dignity. They cared for her with love and compassion as if she was their family.
Anna was predeceased by her beloved and devoted parents Joan Carole Gordon and Walter Saltzberg, her grandparents and her fur brother Corky.
She is survived by her brothers George and Jack, her brother-in law Timothy Swift, her fur nephew Benny, her aunt Jean Shnier and her cousins, Myrna Shnier, Patrisha McLean and Penny Stern and their children and grandchildren. She is also survived by many other extended family members and friends.
Funeral service was officiated by Rabbi Matthew Leibl and held on Monday May 27th at the Chesed Shel Emes followed by burial at the Shaarey Zedek cemetery. Pallbearers were Karen Vickar, Jonathan Fine, Zev Rumstein, Dan East, David Rubenfeld and Albert Yanofsky.
Donations in Anna’s name can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.
