Anne Sandrel-Defoort

March 29, 1962 – April 21, 2025

Some called her Bobbie, some called her Annie, some called her The Bird.

But everyone knew her as a fiercely devoted mother, a loving partner and a tireless worker. Annie came into this world in 1962 a full three hours after the birth of her twin brother and was rarely on time for anything for the rest of her life.

Originally from British Columbia, she first came to Kenora while working in sales. She talked herself into a job at the Zoo in the Lake of the Woods hotel. Small in stature she had a big presence as she muscled her way through the Friday night crowds with a fully loaded tray of drinks.

She often worked more than one job at a time and even started her own lawn care business which she later sold.

Annie was fearless in meeting new challenges and developing her skills. While running Probody Gym with her partner David she earned accreditation as a coach and personal trainer and guided high school and local athletes on their journeys.

She had a soft spot for young people and unofficially adopted many, helping them find employment and generally taking them under her wing.

She loved working outside and the physical labour required. And Dave knew that if she wasn't in the house at night, he only had to follow the sound of her beloved weed whacker to find her. Annie could change a spark plug, cut a palette of soapstone, run a chainsaw, draw, paint and cook a mean dinner. And she did it all. Often it seemed at the same time.

She also had a reputation for missing planes and running out of gas. And we learned to arrange our own transportation and just "meet her there".

Annie will be remembered by her loving and occasionally exasperated partner David Thorgrimson of 35 years, her son Jimmy Defoort (Veronica), her daughter Martini Defoort (Darrick), her bonus daughter Kellie Acree, her lifelong friend Lenore Krentz and five siblings Merv Sandrel (Helen), her twin Howard Sandrel (Sheri), Gail Pawliuk, Shirley Kortz (poor Al) and Maire Hodder (Jim). Also in the mix are a whack of grandchildren, nieces and nephews and in-¬laws Joe Thorgrimson (Joanne), Pat Prouty (Brian) and Jim, Phil and Mary Thorgrimson and I know at least two retired city bylaw officers who will remember her as well, if only because of the number of times they called out, "Bobbie, you can't park there!" and then there's the fire guys - "Bobbie, you can't burn that!" And ... well, you get the idea. Each of us has our favourite Anne-ecdote about her shen-Anne-igans which will always be part of our family culture.

Annie, thank you for the laughs and the adventures, I hope that heaven is a place where it never gets too dark to see and where you never run out of gas for your weed whacker.

Cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.