Anne "Ann" Hudson

HUDSON, Ann

1934 – 2021

On December 22, 2021, at 2:00 a.m. Ann Hudson (Nee Omilusik) was called home by the Lord.  At 87 years of age, she passed peacefully in her sleep after many long years of enduring and living with pain.

She was born on May 1st, 1934, to James and Vera Omilusik in Whatcheer, Alberta.  Ann married Howard, the love of her life, on October 15th, 1962. Together they built a house and raised five children.  She was an extremely diligent and hard-working farm wife, loved by her family and members of the community as a compassionate and caring person.  Ann was one who always had time to listen and comfort, ready to share the love and mercy of the Lord.

The cabinets and freezers were always filled with preserves to keep her family fed and children busy assisting with this effort. It was a family affair, “…if we weren’t in the house shelling peas, snapping beans, and shucking corn, we were outside picking them or bringing in the potato fields.  There was no shortage of wonderful food on the table, including jams and pickles.  She was one of a kind, wife, mother, neighbour, and friend.”  Her special gifts were treasured by all who knew her.

In her mid-years she suffered from back and internal issues which complicated her life with constant pain.  Still she kept her chin up and her positive outlook.  She didn’t complain but endured to the end.  She was a good sport and always up for being silly, loving to laugh with family, hospital staff and friends. Rarely was there ever a day where she forgot to put a flower in her hair, of course, always matching the outfit of the day.  As a result, she garnished the name of “flower” which both suited her personality and outlook on life.  Flowers need both rain and sunshine to bloom.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

She will be Greatly Missed, TILL we meet again.

Surviving Ann are children, Matthew (Tracy), Valerie, Melvin, Verna, Tim (Angela); numerous grandchildren; sisters, Adeline and Jean; as well as extended family and dear friends and associates from Coronation Long Term Care.  Ann was predeceased by her husband, Howard Hudson; infant son, Raymond Paul; parents, Jim and Vera; brothers, Jim, Steve, Hank, Ernie, Donny, Joe; and sister, Lil. 

A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021, 1:00 p.m. from Brownfield Baptist Church, Brownfield, Alberta with interment to follow at Fairfield Cemetery. 

The eulogy from the service:

Ann Omilusik was born in 1934 to parents James and Vera Omilusik, Of Russian and Ukrainian descent
respectively, in an area known as Whatcheer Alberta. There she grew up with 6 brothers and 3 sisters
and attended school, finishing grade 9. She worked for the Newman family in the Bullwark area for many
years and developed a deep loving relationship with them. Various other families also hired her as
housekeeper, until one day… in 1961, she was offered work housekeeping for two shy farmers.
Howard and Ray Hudson kept her busy cooking and cleaning and soon she began to feel her heart pounding a little
faster when one of them was around. Ann and Howard started taking walks and talking. At times some family members
would take to spying on them, so they could tease and jab later, but their pokes could not stop the Destined love, that
brought these two together. October 15th 1962, Howard Hudson tied the knot with Ann. They departed for the airport,
after removing chickens from the car, and landed in Seattle, Washington for the World’s Fair. She had become wife,
honey and sweetheart!
Ann and Howard continued to live and work at Ray's place until the house was ready and along came Matthew. She had
become Mmommm, and later known as Mumzy. She had kicked into full mother mode. Her cleaning
and cooking skills were already honed by working as housekeeper, and so when presented with a
family, took advantage to excel to higher levels. Peek around the corner. She could be heard and seen
doing the voice for a teddy bear named Toowee, even moving his mouth to match words as she made up a story.
She thrived not only in the home but also at church meetings and events. She loved serving with the ladies
group and always made sure a fresh batch of potato salad was at the ready.
Singing was one of the joys of her life, which when combined with Howards voice and guitar, was literally, music to the
ears. Her harmonies were a perfect blend. They loved singing wonderful hymns they treasured. Take Up Thy Cross and
Follow Me, In the Garden, Did You Think to Pray, and Suppertime, were some of the favorites which they sang at many
functions. Later on, the kids had opportunity to sing along as well.
Ann could play the piano by ear, chording along to accompany Howard on guitar. Often when the
power went off, the coal oil lamps were lit, the guitars would come out, then Ann would get on the piano and
as they did in whoville,… sing sing sing. Sometimes the venue was moved to the cousins home. Now, that was a real hoe
down blow out! They were endearing and memorable times. I can still picture a certain naturally gifted little girl, sitting
beside Ann and beginning to play piano around 3 years of age.
Verna's gift has excelled since those days on the bench. Ann also enjoyed drives to Stettler highlighting for her the
opportunity to sing along with hymns on cd. It amazed me how she knew all of the words. She loved the hymns and she
loved to sing.
Of course her duties as a wife were never lost. She shared her supportive instincts with her daughters.
She knew that time on the tractor and combine could be tiresome yet timely. She enjoyed making
lunches and taking them to the field so Howard and the boys could keep going. The garden was another
teaching opportunity to include the kids in. Peas and corn just don’t magically appear in the freezer.
Picking, shelling and freezer preps, were all part of the learning how to pitch in on the farm.
Along with well stocked cupboards and freezer, Ann had a special drawer in her room: The “Mom
Store” drawer. In there she would stock a supply of miscellaneous things, pins, batteries, pens, markers, note pads,
combs, tooth brushes, etc. As kids, we always knew that mom had stashed provisions for emergency situations when
you just can't get to town. It was amazing what we could find! Part of that stock would come from the days when Jay
Norris put out a catalogue. She would order many miscellaneous items of jewelry, nail polish, make-up, and little
accessories which would come by mail. Later on, the family picked up that theme for birthdays and Christmas. The kids
would put together little gift baskets for Ann and label it from Jay Norris. It always went over with great Humor and Joy.
Of course if you happened to be riding with her on an outing for supplies, you may get there sooner than you expect.
Upon wondering why she had arrived at her destination so quickly, she looked down to find the speedometer indicator
gone…. But wait…, slowing down brings it back into view. She knew how to get a snack as well, when out on said
drives. “Hand some chips over or I will d rive in the ditch!” Yes, she definitely got her chips.

It was not always hard work with Ann, although that is a significant trait of who she was. She would also get into games
and have fun with siblings and family. Christmas was about playing rummy at the table with her sister Jean and family.
Balderash was another favorite…. I suspect you didn’t know that a “soutach” in Ann’s mind, was a shoe lace holder.
Betcha you're gonna look that one up when you get home. She would join in family games of scrub and peanut
scrambles for birthday parties but.. If you wanted to add ice cream for dessert, you had to know the secret code word…
“ICDBX”, which the family still remembers the letters of,…and in the right order!
In later years, Hot Dogs became one of Anns favorites. I guess there will be lots left now for the remaining long term
residents.
In her 50s, Ann suffered from a ruptured disc in her back, and had to have a few surgeries to repair the damage, as well
as having some abdominal issues which were tried to correct a couple times. As a result Ann was left in constant
pain from nerve damage to her legs and pressure in her lower abdominal area. Through her struggles with the pain
at home, she never turned away from her Lord. She would experience intense pain but wouldn’t
complain. She felt there was nothing to be gained by that. She functioned at home as long as she could
until she moved into the Assisted Living Center in the late 90s. There they could assist with her
medications, as needed. Always one to make the best in any circumstances, she enjoyed making new
friends, making crafts and going on outings. She celebrated her 40th anniversary there with Howard, her
children, family, friends and staff. It was about this time that Ann started a few traditions; writing in
diaries (10+) and adorning herself with a flower in her hair. A tradition that the family happily kept going
by supplying notebooks and flowers.
Ann knew hardships, but there was nothing that could keep her from praising and loving her Lord. As
time took its toll on her body, she moved over to long term care and another phase of her life. She kept
her chin up as she visited with roommates, long term patients and staff. She Radiated when her Children
and Grandkids came to visit. As evidenced by the writings of her hand. Her life and thoughts were
consumed by Love for the Lord and for her children. She prayed for their problems and that they would
all personally know the Lord. Ann often felt like she fell short in what she should do for the
Lord, but understood all to well that we are saved by the grace and sacrifice of Jesus alone, and not by good works.
Ohhh how she loved and praised Jesus….And OHHHH did she pray for her family.
The praying mother is no joke. It's very real!
Ann would light up when her oldest son would pick a fresh bouquet of Crocus’ for her.
The Flowers which Mom wore in her hair is an Analogy of her life. She knew Flowers need both Rain and Sunshine to
bloom. The color of Ann’s life was rich because she knew Jesus. It is an example to strive for and remember, the Legacy
of a praying mother. Despite her pain… Despite her hardships… She praised the Lord and prayed for her family.
As is written in the Words of her favorite song;
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot. Thou hast taught me
to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.” That sums her Trust in the Lord.
Her parting has left a hole but she leaves a legacy.
She will be missed…
Till we meet again!

The recording of the funeral service is available by clicking on the link below (white box with blue lettering) or "copying and pasting" the following link into your web browser:  https://youtu.be/LaN39lCdWG0

If so desired, memorial donations are gratefully received by Coronation and District Food Bank (Box 219, Coronation, Alberta, T0C 1C0).  Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.coronationfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements in care of Coronation Funeral Home, Coronation, Alberta. Phone: 403.578.2928.