July 20, 1932 – June 15, 2023
It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Anne Marie Davis.
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, to Nora and Alan Holtby, Anne trained and worked as a nurse at Regina General Hospital. That is where she met her first husband, William Gordon Doerksen, with whom she had three children.
In 1971, they moved to Nanaimo, where Anne was a nurse for many years on the extended care ward and later Dufferin Place at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. She loved her profession and spoke fondly of her colleagues and patients.
In 1978, her husband, Bill, passed away. Through friends, she met and married Raymond George Davis, a school teacher in Nanaimo, with two children of his own. She and Ray had 41 years together (before his passing in 2022). She and Ray loved to travel (visiting parts of central Africa, China, and Hong Kong, as well as many trips to parts of the United States).
Anne was a fierce and loyal friend who never hesitated to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She will be sorely missed by the ladies bridge group she was involved with for over 50 years!
She loved being around her grandchildren and especially loved her visits with her six great grandchildren! Anne was always a caring, loving person and had a positive attitude despite losses and physical difficulties. A sign on her mantelpiece read “Choose Happy,” and she did.
Anne was predeceased by her two husbands, her brother John (Jack) Holtby, sister Noreen Holtby, stepdaughter Marie Davis, and son-in-law Harold Wray.
She will be greatly missed by her children: Leslie Olsen (Jim), Linda Doerksen, Gordon Doerksen (Carole), and step-son Paul Davis (Pat); her grandchildren: Blake Olsen (Melissa), Natalie Chell, Amy Pearce (Evan), Kimberley Doerksen, and Jacqueline Davis; her great grandchildren: Skylar, Ezra, Quinn, Annika, Otis, and Henrik; her brother Edward (Ted) Holtby; and her niece and nephews.
Thank you to all the neighbours and friends who visited often and helped make it possible for her to stay in her own home.
A special thanks to Suzanne and Brian Lee, Home Instead, VIHA home support, Dr. Bland, Dr. Fukunaga, and Nurse Suzy.
A private family gathering will be held in her honour this summer.Obituary-