Obituary of Anna Stambulic

February 21^st, 1935 - August 1^st, 2020

 

On a bright, sunny August morning, Anna passed away after living for many years with congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease. While these conditions weakened her body, they did not weaken her spirit nor love of life.

 

Anna was born in Žejane, a village on the Istrian Peninsula in what is today Croatia. In 1955, she escaped to Italy from communist Yugoslavia to join her late husband, Vince, who left earlier. Both wanted to seek a better life with more opportunities than the one they had. Leaving her family was the hardest decision she had to make and meant she would never see her mother again, who died in 1971. With 10 cents in their pockets, little to no English, and an infant son, they immigrated to Canada to start a new life in the Kootenays where Vince’s brother lived. Since then, she has called Cranbrook home for the past 60 years.

 

Anna was predeceased by Vince in December 2014, and her parents, brothers, and sister. She leaves behind her family: Tony (Anna) Cranbrook; Mary (Don) Victoria; Rob (Maureen) Cranbrook; Walter (Patti) Cranbrook, and Eddie (Tammy) Cranbrook.  Nona is survived by her grandchildren: Danielle, Brittany, Toni-Marie; Kendra, Michael, Eric, Daniel; Jordan, Matthew, Nathan; Raeann, Joey; Johnathen, Vincent, Ashleigh; and great-granddaughter Sophia. 

 

She will be remembered for her feistiness, determination to wake up to one more day, and unwavering ability to see the best in life and the good in people.

 

While she will be missed by many, her family takes comfort in knowing she is finally back together again with Vince, who she missed deeply, and who she is probably waltzing with right now in heaven.

 

Heartfelt thanks are extended to Dr. Greg Andreas and staff at the heart function and kidney clinics, who treated Anna with dignity, kindness, and respect; and to those who cared for her towards the end so she could die in her home she loved so much.  

 

A private service and internment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

 

Silently, one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven,

Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.

 

 

 Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Services.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com