Mrs. Aina Sigrid Kancs

April 7, 1922 – June 14, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Aina, who left us peacefully on June 14, 2022 at the age of 100 to join her beloved husband Henry.

Aina was born on April 7, 1922 in Riga, Latvia. Her father was a famous jeweler whose work was shown around the world. She went to high school in Riga and was accepted to the Latvia University in Riga where she studied law. Unfortunately World War II started before she graduated and the family had to flee the country. After the war the family went to Kalsbad, Czechoslovakia and lived there until the Russian army invaded. They then had to flee again, this time to Karlaruhe, Germany where she started working in the office of the American Army. When the United Nation Relief Rehabilitation Association (UNRRA) took over, Aina was transferred to UNRRA headquarters in Heidleberg where she met her future husband, Henry Kancs. They got engaged and decided to emigrate to Canada. Henry went first to Blue River, BC and Aina and her parents moved to Calgary. On June 19, 1948 they got married and moved from Calgary to Vancouver. On September 1, 1949 their son Larry was born.

Later Aina spent a year studying at Pittman Business College. Shortly after graduation she began teaching there and later was promoted to assistant Principal and then to Principal. She worked there from 1951 until she retired in 1980.

Aina’s twin granddaughters, Robyn and Jennifer were born in 1980. She loved spending time with them, babysitting, spending summers with them at the cabin in on Okanagan Lake and celebrating when they graduated from high school and university. She was at both their weddings and was overjoyed to celebrate the arrival of great-grandaughter Riley in 2010 and great-grandson Tyler in 2012.

For the last year Aina lived at the German Canadian Care Home. Her family would like to thank them for taking such wonderful care of her. The kindness, respect and love shown by the staff is a memory we will treasure forever.

As long as we remember Aina and keep her in our hearts she is not really gone. Her love and her wisdom will remain a part of us forever. A private family service will be held. Donations in her memory to the Alzheimer Society of Canada will be greatly appreciated.

Memories and condolences can be submitted on the Forest Lawn Funeral Home website obituary page.