Anne Kathleen (Dunton) McCaffrey-Postal

Anne, surrounded by her loving family took her final breath on Saturday, February 8th entering the presence of her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Anne will always be remembered by living her life to the fullest, guided by what matters most; her incredible faith being expressed in love & grace. Her six-year-old granddaughter said, “Grandi was the strongest Christian I ever knew.” What a legacy.

The Celebration of Anne’s Life is to be held on Saturday, February 22nd at 11:00 at Comox Pentecostal Church, 1919 Guthrie Rd, Comox. The service will also be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

Here is the livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/pDg9p5nk4ZU?si=ylNv4GvG0qclsnps

In Lieu of flowers see Anne's request below, at the end of her story......

Continue Reading Anne’s Story.........

Anne was born in Victoria, B.C. into a home with wonderful parents. Fred and Olive Dunton. Anne's mother & father were steady and fun, her mother spent hours reading chapter books to her kids, teaching about faith, and doing creative things. The thing Anne remembered about her mother most was that she instilled into Anne her faith as well she gave Anne her ‘can do’ attitude.

Anne’s mom died of cancer when Anne was only 6. There were 5 siblings under 8 years old. An aunt and uncle helped them for a while, and dad worked hard to make sure they all made it. Anne’s sisters and brothers all mothered and cared for each other. They were a tight band together and have tried to continue this connection throughout their lives.

Anne’s early experiences really directed her life choices and how she really felt concern and care for any who were struggling or in need. She made a commitment to show up for others both for fun and for projects and when anyone needed help. Many of our family and friends will all attest to having Anne show up just when they needed her.

Anne read and claimed scripture a lot. She had Bible verses she quoted in good times, and verses she used when things were going wrong. Anne believed in speaking the truth of scripture to combat any problem. Her guiding life verse was; “The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love.” Galatians 5:6

Anne met and married Pat McCaffrey in 1977 and moved up to the Comox Valley. They were happily married for 23 years. Anne worked for Pat’s dad at the newspaper while Pat worked doing upholstery work. Later they owned and managed a carpet store in the Comox Valley. During this time Pat and Anne eventually became the pastors of Calvary Community Church together. They created a very close-knit Godly community. Their sons Christopher and David were born and as a family they had many adventures together, enjoying wild rugged fishing trips, vacations, and trips to the beach at the Spit. Anne homeschooled Christopher and David where she loved encouraging their faith and their creativity. She regularly prayed the Daniel prayer over her sons that they would have wisdom and understanding and would be good problem solvers, which they are.

In 2000, after a few years of sickness and liver transplant complications, Pat passed away, leaving Anne a widow with 2 teen boys. It was a heartbreaking time for Anne and her sons.

When her sons Christopher and David each married and had kids, Anne spent time and bonded with each of her grandkids. They have all felt her love.

As one of her grandkid projects, Anne challenged all her grandkids and great nieces and nephews (and others) to memorize scripture…she paid them big bucks and then matched the money to dig a well for clean water project in Zimbabwe. It was an entire family project with her leading the way.

In 2008 Anne received her Master's Degree in Ministry from ACTS Seminary and studied and completed the requirements to become a Canadian Clinical Pastoral Practitioner where she has served in chaplaincy ever since.

In 2014 Anne was among the first women ordained as a minister with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, honoring a lifetime spent in ministry.

Anne worked at Mount St. Mary Hospital in Victoria for close to 10 years as the spiritual care provider to the senior patients, and as the volunteer coordinator. She loved working with both the elder patients and encouraging the young volunteers. It was said of Anne that she was the ‘heart and soul’ of Mount St. Mary’s Hospital.

In 2020 Anne and Dave Postal, former pastor at Comox Pentecostal Church and widower as well began a distant friendship based on some shared history and previous family connections. It was not long before they knew they were falling in love, and that God was bringing them together. They say Anne began to giggle at work and was incredibly happy. Surrounded by their families Dave and Anne had a car rally, tailgate wedding May 1, 2021, during COVID that was watched online by hundreds of their adoring family and friends. In 2022 they moved back to the Comox Valley to be closer to family where Anne took a chaplaincy position with Providence Living and The Views. She found immense joy to use her gifts and her experience in her own hometown where she began 20 years earlier serving as a volunteer. Dave and Anne have enjoyed a wonderful time together, have been so close to both Anne’s kids and Dave’s kids, have done a lot of fishing and camping together, have filled in at churches and constantly done ministry together.

This is an extremely hard chapter to close. We are comforted by the same God of all comfort whom Anne knew well. We all love you and we will miss you, Anne.

In lieu of flowers, at Anne’s request, as a family we will be working toward drilling another well for a clean water project in Zimbabwe, in memory of Anne, and as part of her legacy.

Here is a link to give: https://erdo.ca/our-focus/water-programs/zimbabwe-drilled-wells/

This project is through ERDO a Registered Canadian Charity focusing on Emergency Relief and Development Overseas that Anne passionately supported. Tax receipts can be provided for your generosity.

Written by Anne’s sister, Christine Knudsen