Obituary - Ann Braden

Patricia Ann Braden, beloved wife of Nelson and devoted mother to Jonathan (Sarah) and Kaitlan, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Carmel Hospice on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at age 64 years.  Ann was the fourth of five children born to Joe and Loraine Thacker, and from an early age she was the spark of the family.  She was a precocious and loving child. Growing up Ann was an avid athlete and also participated in other extracurricular activities.  Following high school graduation she pursued a post-secondary degree in Recreation at Lethbridge Junior College and Fresno State College, ultimately obtaining a Degree in education from the University of Lethbridge.  She married Nelson in 1972 and they spent several years teaching in rural communities and travelling widely.  After the birth of Jonathan in 1984 and Kaitlan in 1987, Ann chose to focus on her children and continued to perfect her wide range of homemaking and crafting skills.  In 1989 they returned to Bow Island to be closer to family.  She spread her positive spirit throughout the community as an active member of St. Andrew's United Church, OORP, Pivot County Fair and many other organizations.  Ann's bubbly personality and “gift of the gab'' led to the creation of many lifelong friendships everywhere she lived and visited.  She always had a smile on her face, living her life with the mottos “it is what it is'' and “an apple pie without the cheese is like a kiss without the squeeze''.  Ann is survived by her four siblings, Joe (Bev), May (Brian) Gudmundson, Tom (Coreen) and Barry (Silvia); aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.  She was predeceased by her parents, Joe and Loraine Thacker.  The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to all of Ann’s health care providers for their genuine caring and hospitality for Ann her family and friends.  If friends so desire, memorial donations may be directly to St. Andrew's United Church stained glass memorial fund, P.O. Box 36, Bow Island, AB., T0K 0G0 or St. Joseph's Carmel Hospice, 156 - 3 Street N.E., Medicine Hat, AB., T1A 5M1.  Prayers for Ann will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 - 13 Street S.W.,  Medicine Hat on Thursday July 31, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. The memorial service will be held at St. Andrew's United Church in Bow Island, 139 - 2 Avenue West, Bow Island on Friday, August 1, 2014 at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Sheila McLeod officiating.  Interment will follow at the Bow Island Cemetery and lunch will follow at the Cherry Coulee Christian Academy.