Ann Hansford


Ann Hansford

HANSFORD, Ann (nee Chrochèire)

The world has lost a beautiful soul. Annie passed away suddenly on April 14, 2012 with a smile on her face and a heart full of love and song. Annie was the cherished wife of the late Stewart Hansford and the most loving and devoted mother that her daughters Marie and Maureen could have ever asked for and the best mother-in-law Dan and Dave could ever wish for.

She was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec on February 3, 1920 to Josephine O'Connor and Charles Chrochetière. She had 5 siblings, Hugh, Lucille, James, Josephine, and Henry who all predeceased her.

Annie was always adventurous, energetic, and ahead of her time. As a teen, she was an award winning diver and swimmer at the Sherbrooke YM/YWCA. No one could beat her. In her twenties she worked as a traffic controller at the Windsor Mills air field where many young RCAF pilots were trained. She loved to tell stories of the brave young men preparing to go to war and of flying upside down in Tiger Moth training aircraft. Her experience there instilled in her a life-long fascination of all things that fly and a dare devil spirit.

Annie fell for and married Stewart in September of 1951. They welcomed their two girls a few years later. While raising her family in Sherbrooke, Annie was a mainstay in the St. Pat's Parish community and a committed lifetime member of the Beta Sigma Phi. Among many other things, she led the local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul society for many years. Her generous heart and steadfast commitment helped many struggling families get the help they needed to get back on their feet. She never judged – just gave.

Music was always a passion with Mum. She studied piano in Montreal and even in her 90s was able to play beautiful music from memory. Her lovely singing voice was enjoyed by many. Classical was her music of choice but she was also often caught enjoying Beatles or even Stones tunes. There are so many memories we will always cherish – her deep love for all things winged and four legged, the fact that she could fix anything that was broken (the original MacGyver), but most of all it will be her constant smile, her loving spirit and the positive inspiration that she gave to everyone she encountered. She taught us so much.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the paramedics who attended to Mum, and to the Ottawa Police Services officers who could not have been more compassionate and helpful, and finally to the staff of the Hunt Club Manor who, as always, treated us just like family.

A private funeral will be held. Those who wish are invited to honour Annie's memory with a donation to the charity of their choice or to the Ottawa Humane Society.
SC Brown
Apr/12