Antoinette “Annette” Lillian Ward (Reiber)

June 4, 1933 – July 13, 2021

We are very saddened to announce the passing of our mom, Annette Ward.  She will be greatly missed by her daughters Laurie McNabb (Gary) and Janice Sawatsky (Ray).  She was immensely proud of her 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren: Sheldon McNabb (Suzanne), Chase, Jaslyn; Trever McNabb (Christine), Avery, Shea; Darin McNabb (Jennifer), Kari, Hunter; Chandra Clark (Cory), Maicy, Beckam; Taneil Holinaty (Zenon), Emerie, Liviana; Kelsey Rebryna (Mitchell); Matthew Sawatsky (Kurtis Pratt).

Annette is also survived by her sister Betty Ann Dunlap, brother Peter Reiber (Sylvia), brother-in-law Tommy Ward, along with many nieces and nephews and their families.

Mom was predeceased by her husband Elof Ward, son Donald Ward, sister and brother-in-law Rita and Tommy Powell, brother-in-law Tom Dunlap, parents Anna and Andrew Reiber and many of the Ward relatives.

After finishing high school, Annette trained at St Paul’s as a lab technician.  This was a career she loved but did not stay in as she soon became a farmer’s wife, mother, and homemaker.  She was also a long-time resident of the Vanscoy Community.  Some of her many interests included painting, crafting, golfing, fishing, and playing cards with her friends.  She always had time for her routine phone calls from some of her closest friends such as Nancy Sparrow, Eleanor Guina, Joyce Richmond, and Evalene Sanders – just to mention a few.

Mom loved gardening, she would organize and direct the planting of a large yearly vegetable garden.  She also took great joy in watching her flower beds blossom, particularly her lilies which are all tagged and labelled.  She shared this joy with her grandson Matthew who cross pollinated some of her favourite lilies.  Mom was able to enjoy one of these new creations this year which Matthew proudly named ‘Lilly Antoinette’.

Annette will be dearly missed.

As per Annette’s wishes, there will be no funeral services.