Obituary of Ann Harrison

In Loving Memory Ann Harrison (Dawe)

November 24, 1939 – August 20, 2023

Ann Dawe was brought into the world on a folding table in a makeshift hospital during the height of the second world war on November 24, 1939. At the time of her birth, the local hospital had been reduced to rubble and sirens wailed as fighter jets destroyed the city around them. Without sanitation, medical equipment, heat, lighting and properly trained staff, Ann somehow miraculously survived. She was born to parents, Duncan Harold Dawe and Mary Predy Hill of Cheshire, England. Duncan was a British soldier, Mary, a hair stylist.

Ann’s parents separated in 1942 and her mother remarried that same year – although Ann and her stepfather were never close. From the age of three, Ann was raised by her mother and her grandmother who both worked as hairdressers in her grandmother’s salon. Ann’s half-brother – Peter

Martlew – was born on December 28, 1959…when Ann was age 20.

On April 12, 1958, at the age of 18, Ann attended a dance at the Grosvenor Street Ballroom in Liscard, Wallasey, where she met her future husband, Thomas Robert Harrison. Tom had gone to the dance that night hoping to see Ann. When he spotted her sitting in the corner of the room, he nervously mustered up enough courage to approach the young woman who’d recently caught his eye. With his entire future riding on the outcome of a single question he had yet to ask, Tom cleared his throat and bravely asked the young girl to dance; Ann said yes. They were engaged on Christmas Eve 1959. They were married on March 18, 1961 – Tom’s 21^st birthday.

As a young adult, Ann worked as a hairdresser in a posh styling salon across from Playton Square in Liverpool. On her lunch breaks she would visit the Cavern to watch the Beatles perform live.

By the end of 1961, both Ann’s mother and grandmother had passed away. Ann inherited the

family home that had belonged to her grandmother. In 1963, she sold her family home and used that money to board a cruise ship with her husband, Tom, to start a new life in Canada. Their ship docked in Montreal, Quebec, and from there they travelled by train to Vancouver, British Columbia. With bright hopes and aspirations, that was where they decided to settle. Tom held a modest occupation as an industrial painter, while Ann took up work in a restaurant. Between the two of them they managed to save enough money to purchase a small house in Deep Cove, North Vancouver, with a stunning view of the Burrard Inlet for a price of $6,000. That was a lot of money in the 1960’s. But they saved and they made their payments, and they found a way to make it work.

Tom and Ann had four children - Jane (1965), Robert (1966), Nicholas (1969) and Kelly (1970). The young family moved to different parts of the lower mainland throughout their marriage. Tom worked, while Ann stayed at home to raise the children and take care of the home. In February of 1992, Tom and Ann separated against Toms wishes. Ann moved North to Dawson Creek, British Columbia. She dated periodically, but never remarried.

In October of 1994, Ann lost her youngest son, Nicholas, to a drug overdose. She never fully recovered or came to terms with her grief.

On July 26, 1995, Ann’s first grandchild was born – Nickie (Jane). On December 2 that same year, Ann was blessed with a second grandchild, Natalie (Kelly). Ann spent most of the years that followed living with her eldest daughter, Jane, and helping to raise her granddaughter, Nickie.

She enjoyed travelling by bus with her granddaughter, Nickie, to visit Nickie’s father, Ed, in the Northern part of the province. On May 29, 2008, Ann’s third and final grandchild, Kailey (Rob) was welcomed into the world.

Following the birth of Ann’s 3 grandchildren came the births of Ann’s 3 great grandchildren – all stemming from her granddaughter Nickie (Christian). Willow arrived on October 4, 2012, Sawyer came next on May 30^th, 2014, and Walker – Ann’s only great grandson – was born on April 16, 2020. Anns great grandchildren brought tremendous joy, purpose and meaning to her life.

Ann struggled with mental health issues her entire adult life. She was diagnosed with bipolar in 1999. Once Ann received a diagnosis, adequate care, and medication, her situation improved.

Ann spent her most recent years living in Rotary Manor in Dawson Creek, British Columbia,

where she received excellent care and made many friends with both residents and staff. She has enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow up to lead independent lives…and has equally enjoyed visiting with her 3 great grandchildren often.

Ann was an avid fan of the daytime soap opera – The Young and the Restless – which she had been watching daily for almost 50 years. She held an odd fascination with fortune telling – crafting her own Ouija boards in the 1970’s which she used to communicate with her loved ones on the other side. Ann had a gift for both palm and tea leaf reading. In her late 70’s she was sought after by so many people at Rotary Manor for psychic readings that the staff set her up with a permanent tea leaf reading station next to the gift shop. Ann enjoyed doing readings for residents and staff – her predictions were accurate - and the extra money that she earned was her pocket money that she spent on gifts for family members or for making small purchases while on outings. Unfortunately, Ann’s tea leaf reading station was forced to shut down during Covid in March of 2020 and it never reopened.

Ann loved the Royal Family, England, and British comedies such as Mrs. Browns Boys. The last time Ann visited England was in 1967 – when her two oldest children, Jane and Robert, were toddlers. Ann wanted desperately to return to England in her later years. She dreamed of purchasing a ship to sail along the Mersey River with her children, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren by her side. Unfortunately, Ann’s frail health and mobility issues made long distance travel impossible.

Ann is predeceased by her husband, Tom, and their son, Nicholas.

She is survived by her children Jane, Robert, and Ashley – formerly Kelly - (Chris); grandchildren Nickie (Christian), Natalie (Conor), and Kailey; great grandchildren Willow, Sawyer and Walker as well as numerous friends, members of the Mormon Church and Rotary Home staff.

Ann’s smile, laughter and wit will truly be missed. May she be at peace and at rest being reunited with her loved ones on the other side. 

For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ann to the Canadian Mental Health Association, 250 Dundas St. West, Suite 500 Toronto, ON M5T 2Z5 or the Salvation Army Community and Family Services, 1436 104 Ave, Dawson Creek, BC, V1G 4H9 

Very Respectfully, Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium