Ann Saunders
1926-2018

91 year old Annie Bridget Maguire Saunders peacefully passed away on January 13, 2018 at Scarborough General Hospital surrounded by her family. Annie was born in Ballinaglera, Ireland in 1926, the youngest of four sisters; Maggie-Ann, Katie, and Nellie (deceased).

Life was hard but full of adventures in rural Ireland. The sisters lost their mother at an early age. In spite of hardships, Ann always remembered it fondly and told great stories about having no shoes and being bit by her donkey Jessie. She achieved her grade 8 education in a one room school house. Near the end of the War, Ann worked for a short time at a hospital in England. At the age of 22 in 1949, with considerable courage, on her own, she immigrated to Canada looking for new adventures.

Ann married, and is survived by her children and their spouses: Maureen Saunders and Richard Nyman; Vivian and Ron Ono (Ottawa); John and Barb Saunders; Eileen and Herb Longware (Willsboro, NY) and Joan Saunders and Roland Henning.

Ann loved and was loved by her grandchildren: Kailey (Eric), Christine and Shaun Ono, Michael (Krista) Nyman, Ryan and Emily Saunders, Shein, Ann & Ben Saunders-Henning, Matvey and Maxim Longware. There was always lots of love, and laughter in Ann’s home.

Ann raised her 5 children on her own. As a single mom she worked locally at Notre Dame High School, Bargain Harold’s and Dominion in order to be close to her children’s school. Despite long hours and little money she made a point of cooking fantastic dinners and desserts every night - to her children, life seemed privileged. Each of her children completed University and went on to establish successful careers and wonderful families.

Ann achieved high school equivalency and attended college in her forties. At age 65 Ann retired from the Ryerson Bookstore. She then played a very active role in helping to raise all her grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Ann's bag was always packed for travel and ready for adventure. Ann enjoyed family parties, dancing, telling stories, giving advice, playing euchre and cribbage and sipping Manhattans, wine or tea. She welcomed friends and friends of friends into her home.

In her final years Ann developed dementia and was cared for by Joan Saunders and her partner Roland Henning, and her grandchildren, Shein, Ann and her beloved Ben.

Her wit, charm and playfulness was evident to the very end and will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Society of Saint Vincent De Paul Toronto or a charity of your choice.