Anne (Morrow) Cumming

CUMMING, Anne Jardine (nee Morrow)

Passed away peacefully but unexpectedly, after a short stay in hospital in Barrie, Ontario, on December 31, 2022, Anne J Cumming, in her 92nd year.

Beloved wife of the late Stanley Cumming (d. 2005).  Loving and proud mother of Catherine (Dan) Zuro, Gregory (Jill) Cumming and Gordon (Jennifer) Cumming.   Adoring Nana of Jeremy (Sam) Zuro, Drew Zuro, Victoria Cumming (Owen Dubar) Sean Cumming, Sam Cumming, Sarah (Erik) MacPherson, Laura Cumming (Michael Hunter). Loving Grand Nana of Isla MacPherson.

Born in Toronto in 1931, Anne was the cherished only child of Helena and Kenneth Morrow.  She was a student and athlete at Bishop Strachan School, later graduating from Toronto General Hospital Nursing school in 1953, where she met many of her dearest lifelong friends. She shared many stories about her wonderful experiences training in public health nursing in North Carolina and British Columbia.  While living in Toronto, Anne and Stan met, embarking on a long and happy marriage (m. 1958). Anne stayed home to raise her three children, first in Toronto then in Ottawa, sharing with them her love of figure skating and later downhill skiing. In 1976 she began a very fulfilling 16 year career in the Occupational Health Unit at the Royal Ottawa Hospital.  On retirement, she and Stan moved to the Birchcroft Road near Dwight in Muskoka, where they built their beautiful waterfront retirement home on Lake of Bays. Here they enjoyed so many happy years, hosting family and exploring the beauty of Muskoka through boating, swimming, walks, and cross country skiing; they were also active contributing members of the Lake of Bays Association. Anne was an attentive and caring daughter to her mother until her death at 101 years of age.

Anne actively used many of her public health nursing skills working with the Muskoka Public Health Unit and later volunteering with the Huntsville Meals on Wheels program. She also volunteered in local school reading programs. She and Stan met many dear friends at the Huntsville chapter of PROBUS; Anne thoroughly enjoyed the fun and education she experienced with the PROBUS group members, attending her last meeting in December 2022. She was a lifelong avid reader, enjoying time with her book club/“lunch bunch” friends for many years. Always athletic, she swam in many of Muskoka’s lakes and attended twice a week Aquafit classes in Huntsville until just before her death.

When Stan died, Anne moved to her beloved home on Fairy Lake, where she was so happy. Here she hosted friends and family, living life fully and independently in this home until she died. She always missed Stan terribly, but established a life full of fun, meaning, connection and love with new and old friends.

Anne’s love of her family was profound. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy - she adored spending time with them and spoiling them at every opportunity. She gathered frequently with family in Huntsville, Stittsville and Shanty Bay. Every get-together at her home on Fairy Lake was a joyful celebration of family, full of love.

As she aged, Anne was very happy that she was able to maintain her independence.  She fervently hoped that she would live in her Fairy Lake home forever and would have been so happy that this came to pass.

Messages of condolence can be posted at www.billingsleyfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation or the charity of your choice.

A celebration of Anne’s life will be held at The Active Living Center at the Huntsville Summit Center, on Saturday February 18th between 1pm and 4pm.