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Anne Campbell (nee King)

October 20, 2022

Anne Campbell (nee King)

Anne Campbell, mother, sister, friend, writer and longtime arts and cultural heritage advocate passed away peacefully on October 20, 2022 in the Palliative Care Unit, Pasqua Hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan, surrounded by the love of her family.

Anne was born into the pine scent of Paddockwood, in northern Saskatchewan. She was the eldest of seven siblings. She grew up in Saskatoon and the town of Hanley where she was engaged and captivated by music, theatre, ice skating and her relationships with siblings and cousins. As a teenager she moved to Regina where she met, married and raised three children with Jock Campbell. Anne was deeply devoted to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, siblings, and large extended family. She loved to host family gatherings and was instrumental in organizing extended family reunions. She felt immense gratitude for her many friends and family, all of whom gathered round her in support – in person, on paper, and on-line, during her cancer journey.

Anne was an award winning writer of poetry and prose, including her 2017 selected work The Fabric of Day, a co-editor of Regina Secret Spaces: Life and Lore of Local Geography, and Biblio Files: A History of the Regina Public Library. She was a member of provincial and national writing organizations and a charter member of the Writers Guild of Alberta and the Canadian Creative Nonfiction Collective Society. She studied at the Regina Conservatory, University of Regina (U of R). She loved her participation in the writers' colonies at the old Fort San, St. Peter's Abbey (Muenster), Emma Lake, and Banff. 

Anne has been an inspiration to many throughout her lifetime. Her lively intelligence, curiosity, great sense of humour and a sharp sense of the absurd was always coupled with dignity, kindness, and compassion. She was a voracious reader and always ready for a “discussion”. Anne's life was informed by a deep awareness of the central importance and healing power of humour, nature, the arts, music, literacy and cultural heritage, in creating a healthy humanity.   

Anne's commitment to the arts was shown in her employment at the Mackenzie Art Gallery (Regina), the Glenbow Museum (Calgary), and the Regina Public Library where she managed community services. She also volunteered with provincial and national cultural organizations in the visual arts, music, literacy, and the historic built environment. In retirement Anne was coordinator of Ecumenism at (RC) Archdiocese of Regina, and later a Research Fellow at the U of R's Canadian Plains Research Centre.  

Anne is survived by her loving children Joseph Campbell, Jacqueline Campbell (Bob McFadden), and Jill Rodgers (Ken); her treasured grandchildren, Alden Adair (Trenna Keating), Thomas Adair (Sabrina) and great-granddaughters River and Olivia, Sarah Adair (Luke Buchan), Brent Rodgers (Karman So), and Jocelyn Rodgers (Nolan Proctor). Anne is also survived by her loving and loved siblings, sister Leona King, brothers Ray King (Francine Harvey) and Rick King (Barb), sisters in-law Katherine King and Marilyn King and her many and much loved nieces, nephews and cousins. Anne was predeceased by brother Ron King 2022, brother Ken King 2020, sister Patricia King 1998, parents Joseph King 1982 and Rose King 2006, former husband John (Jock) Campbell 2021, and later partner Adam Szladow 2014.

 

Nature... she stays close, keeping this writer company,

sends the earth, and the sky, even sends the stars at night,

and they warm us, those long ago cousins,

as she makes ready    our place of rest

 

                                                                                                The Sound of Blue by Anne Campbell

 

We thank the staff of the Palliative Care Unit, Pasqua Hospital and the Allan Blair Cancer Centre for their compassionate care and support.

An interment was held at the Lumsden Cemetery. A Celebration of Anne's life is planned for May 17, 2023 at the Mackenzie Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan.

If desired, a donation in Anne's memory may be made to the Mackenzie Art Gallery, the Regina Floral Conservatory (reginafloralconservatory.ca), the Saskatchewan Writers Guild, or a charity of your choice.  

 

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Messages of Condolence

We love Anne with all our hearts. She was the funniest most creative person I know. She always had a conversation to be had and made you feel like you were the only one in the room. She will be missed and is loved dearly. ~ Jocelin

Anne was the most positive person I have ever known. She saw the upside of everything. Her sense of the ridiculous always made me laugh. She was a loving sister and sister-in-law. I will miss her kindness and creativity. My deepest sympathy to Anne’s children and grandchildren. ~ Katherine King

Auntie Anne will be forever in my memory as kind, loving and humble. Kriag and I were lucky to live close for a while and always loved being with the family. The best hugs by far. Michelle, Kraig and Brock ~ Michelle Dufort

My beautiful and extremely talented sister cousin, I will miss your person so much, but you have left me your spirit. After reading “The Sound of Blue”, I was overwhelmed with emotion. Anne was a most talented artist who was able to transport me to a quiet path in Saskatchewan, (complete with shrilling meadowlarks, bulbous cumulus clouds, and golden canola swaying in the breeze) with just a few of her powerful words!! Since I was a young child, Anne has been an inspiration to me. So very thankful I have her incredible poetry; it will continue to keep my history alive. My love and best wishes to all of Anne’s family. I look forward to celebrating her in fine style, in the spring. Love, Michele, Bill and family ~ Michele Sarich

My dear, sweet Auntie Anne. You were one of the kindest, classiest, most graceful, and funniest, people I’ve known. You will always be our matriarch, and will be dearly missed. ~ Shane King

Goodbye my dear friend and confident of four decades. What a long conversation we have had, and it was so fulfilling. What a loss the city and province have sustained. They are different, and better, because of your talents and selflessness. ~ Allister Neher

Jacqueline and family. So very sorry to read of your Mom's death. Our condolences. Glenys & Rand ~ Glenys & Rand McIntyre

We are so sorry for your loss. Anne was such a wonderful person. Always so engaging, enlightening and just really nice. She was always interesting to talk to and so proud of her grandchildren. She will be missed by everyone who knew her. ~ David Millar

We offer our sympathy to Anne’s family and friends. We knew her through volunteer work with Regina Multi Faith. Her contributions were many and she will be missed and remembered. We are glad to have known her. ~ Dwaine and Barbara Dornan

As we reflected on our memories of our special cousin Anne, we were reminded of fun, laughs and connection. We fondly remembered giggles over coffee in Humboldt while Anne was on a break from writer’s retreats at St. Peter’s College. Anne and Pat (Brockman) would reminisce about childhood joys like times when a plethora of young cousins gathered at the Sarich farm. They became a cast of characters for the dramatic theatre written and performed for an audience of family and farm animals. The last time I saw Anne was at her reading for The Fabric of Day at the Owl’s Nest in Calgary. Primed by her poetry, I was drawn back to those coffee chats in Humboldt as a young adult, feeling welcome in the grown-up conversation. Anne’s presence brought a sense of belonging that continues on in her poetry. She will be missed. Camille Jensen (nee Brockman), Pat Brockman and Jay Brockman ~ Camille Jensen

Most sincere condolences to all who loved Anne. She was a beautiful, caring soul. ~ Linda LeBoldus

Jacqueline I noticed your mother's obituary in the paper and remembered her for as the lovely creative and friendly person that I had the pleasure to met several times. Best wishes to you and your family ~ Jan Carter

I have very fond memories, growing up across the street from the Campbell family on Cowburn Cresent. Anne standing on the front step calling the kids to come home in her sing song voice "Jill, Jackie, Joey!" I loved being at their house, Anne always so kind and welcoming. Such a talented, creative woman who never seemed to age. Hugs to you all. ~ Jan Sichello

A beautiful picture of a beautiful person. I am sorry for your loss. Anne was such a special person to everyone who had the privilege to know her. She wrote the most exquisite condolence note to us after our dad, Gord Staseson, died. All the things she said could also be applied to her rich life. She gave so much to so many individuals and organizations, and...to the world at large through her limitless bounty of talents. Farewell Anne, you will be missed but you have graced us with warm memories. Gaye Taylor ~ gaye taylor

Oh the great times we had preparing scrumptious dinners and the sharing them with an amazing array of friends at her dinner parties! I admired her broad interests and compassionate outlook. She brightened my days in Regina and I will miss her. ~ Benjamin Fiore SJ - St. Michael Church

Our sincerest condolences to Anne's family. We always enjoyed meeting up with Anne at local arts and culture events. She was a true source of creativity, laughter and inspiration and she will be sorely missed! We hope you find peace at this sad time. Anne's poetry sustains us. Sincerely, Sheila Petty and Vaughn Borden ~ Sheila Petty and Vaughn Borden

I worked with Anne at the Regina Public Library when I directed the Dunlop Art Gallery (1970-1984) Anne was a delight to work with - smart, personable and we got along great. I have slides of us judging a publication competition for the WCAC at the RPL. Thought her work with others on Regina Secret Places was just brilliant. I wished I could have been part of the project. However, I was of Biblio Files of which she was one of the editors and I was able to make a contribution. Another great book from the bright lights in Regina. Now I regret not enough lunch and dinners with her. ~ Wayne Morgan

I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to Jacqueline, Jill and and Joseph, and your beautiful families on the passing of your Mother (Grandmother), Anne. Anne was a lovely woman, an amazing hostess q d a beautiful person. I enjoyed my visits at family events, always welcoming friends and visitors, interesting and engaging conversations and an abundance of fun and laughter. Thinking of all of you, Love Lois Vanderhooft ❤️xo ~ Lois Vanderhooft