Sioui
While she fought hard to stay with us, our Mother, Annabeth passed away at 80 years of age due to complications of pneumonia.
Born in Peterborough, Ontario to Martha & Albert Batten; Devoted parents, Christians, and lifetime members of the Masonic Lodge.
One of 7 children, she learned the virtues of love, patience, perseverance, empathy, charity, and hard work of which she demonstrated on a daily basis throughout her lifetime.
True to her Irish/English heritage she was a spirited rebel at heart who lived life on her own terms.
As a young, beautiful, strong woman she both intrigued and wowed male suitors. Unconventional for her time, she pleased audiences and won awards for her angelic singing voice and even raced stock cars.
In 1962, Robert Sioui (Deceased) captured her heart and together they would be blessed with 4 beautiful children. In search of change and opportunity, in 1970 they moved their young family to B.C. Most unfortunately, this union would not last. Finding herself in a position of being a self-supporting, single mother she summoned the strength & smarts to educate herself and became a nurse. For several years she worked at VGH in Geriatrics followed by Riverview Psychiatric Hospital until her retirement. She was well respected by her co-workers and loved by her patients. During her working life, she also fostered 2 children and housed & cared for 1 of her patients.
In the early 70’s, she found love again in Brian Emslie of whom she shared her life with until his sudden passing in June of 2020. When Annabeth and Brian got together, Brian’s daughter Holly also joined us, making us a family of 7. Brian’s passing broke her heart and during the past year she struggled with feelings of irreconcilable loss.
Our mother enjoyed life’s simple pleasures and was an animal lover. In retirement, she enjoyed her morning coffee and crosswords, spending time with her family, Sunday drives & window shopping, knitting, and bingo/casino with her gal pals in Maple Ridge & face timing childhood friends.
Her proudest accomplishment was her children; Greatest Treasure her Grandchildren; And Biggest Delight her Great Grandchildren.
Of regrets, she had none with the exception of not winning the Lottery!
Annabeth was predeceased by Brian, her life partner as well as her parents (Martha & Albert) and 5 of 6 siblings (Vernon, Jackie, Keith, Bobby, Ruth).
Survived by her children; Robin Sioui, Mark Sioui, Jay Sioui (Faye), Micheline Ciolli (Franco), Holly Emslie. And Grandchildren; Kyle Olar (Daria), Jordan Olar (Jessica), Braden Olar (Nicole), Julian Ciolli (Lynsey), Mia Ciolli (Domenico), Mishayla Sioui (Kyle). Great Grandchildren; Lydia Olar, Jackson Olar. Sister: Nadine Howard (Barry) of Kelowna and Nephew Teddy Howard of Ontario & his family & Niece Dena Howard & family of Kelowna & The Yukon.
Mom, may you finally be at peace. We will love & honour & miss you forever.