It is with overwhelming sadness we share the news of the loss of a beloved wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt, colleague, friend and political mind, Anne. Anne passed peacefully with her family at her side on October 26^th, 2024 after battling ALS.

Anne was born March 20th, 1951 to Brenda and Joseph Nichols in Sheffield, England. She came to Ottawa by boat at the age of six. She shared fond memories of watching Perry Mason and drinking Coke from a bottle in their home above their family’s corner store.

Anne found her niche at a young age in the world of politics and government in Ottawa. It was during this time she met Keith, a farm boy from Saskatchewan, also making a place for himself in union work and politics. He talks of their first date as the night he invented a party to get to spend time with her. He knew he had met his match! Keith and Anne married August 4, 1979 on Parliament Hill.

The 1980’s brought some major changes – a move back to Saskatchewan to the family farm, and the addition of their children Breanna, Roberta and Jon. As one could imagine this was a culture shock for Anne, moving from the city and hustle and bustle of politics to a grain farm, raising cattle and a young family. Anne made strong family and community connections in Naicam, teaching Sunday School and sitting on the Credit Union Board.

The family moved with Anne’s career back to Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 1989 and then back to the Legislature Building in Regina in 1995. She served in many roles in Saskatchewan governments including Assistant Cabinet Secretary, Assistant Chief of Staff to the Premier, Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff and Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff under Roy Romanow, Lorne Calvert and Allan Blakeney. She was recognized with a Saskatchewan Centennial Medal in 2005 for her service to the province.

After retiring from politics Anne and Keith built a home at Dixon Lake. She picked up some new activities – ‘nana-ing’, crocheting, cooking, gardening and RM administration. Anne worked in the RM of Invergordon office for a number of years, a new challenge she thoroughly enjoyed.

Anne was famous for her wit, wisdom, political savvy, big hugs, tear-jerking cards, cinnamon buns and fabulous tea parties.  She spent her last week analyzing election results, cracking jokes and sharing her immense love with her family.

Anne is survived by her husband of 45 years Keith, her children Kevin (Christy), Breanna (Scott), Roberta, Jon (Jen) and her grandchildren Sumer, Dmytro, Mayson, Emory, Knox, Ezra and Ellis. She also leaves behind her brother Kevin (Ginette), sisters Christine, Maureen (Dave), Kim (Brent), sisters-in-law Colleen (John), Lona (David), Sherlyn, brothers-in-law Garnet (Mary-Ellen), Darryl and numerous nieces and nephews, particularly Jeff and Jason Greenslade who lived (and moved) with Anne and family for a number of years. She leaves behind good friends Angie, Judy, Eric, Pauline, Courtney, Lynn and many others.  She was predeceased by her mother Brenda, father Joseph, mother-in-law May, father-in-law Robert, niece Adrienne, and good friend Noonie.

Thank you to all the family, friends, home care/palliative care team, and ALS team who helped us care for Anne in her home where she wanted to be.

Please join us for a celebration of her life at the Town Hall in Naicam, Saskatchewan on Saturday November 23rd at 11:30AM.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Society of Saskatchewan or the Salvation Army.

• Date : 2024-10-26
• Location : Prince Albert, SK