JANET ANNE (ANNE) BEST
Born September 25, 1934
Anne passed away in Campbell River on June 28, 2011 at the age of 76. She had a short courageous battle with cancer and died suddenly in the hospital; and we give thanks that she had her beloved step-daughter, Debbie, by her side. Anne is survived by her devoted husband, Jim Best, her three sons, Richard (Marion), James and Mark Franklin, her step-daughter, Debbie (Dave) Schweighardt, six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and her sister, Joan (Don) Dakers, her nieces, nephews and families. She was pre-deceased by her grandson, Luke Franklin.
Anne was born in Victoria, BC to Muriel and Norman C. Stewart, Surveyor General of British Columbia. Anne was proud to be descended from Bessie and G.C.S Corry, pioneers of the Victoria Highlands. One of her great joys was to attend Corry family reunions to visit her many cousins and their families. She attended Belmont High School and Sprott Shaw, then worked briefly as a stenographer.
She was married to John Franklin with whom she had three sons. When the boys were old enough, she began work as a doctor’s receptionist. Anne was very interested in and knowledgeable about medicine. She married Jim Best in 1973, and moved to Campbell River, she continued her work with people, as co-owner of Best Paints, at the Office Shop, Instructor at North Island College teaching typing and office procedures, as a medical receptionist, and at the hospital in Nanaimo, then, after attending Malaspina College, as a Home Support Worker.
Jim and Anne loved to travel and to spend time with the family. In Ladysmith, Anne and Jim were active in the Ladysmith Yacht Club. In recent years, Jim and Anne moved back to Campbell River where she attended the Anglican Church. She very much enjoyed working with the Altar Guild and the ACW. Anne was intelligent and interested in the world, and to the very end, she was in good spirits, and always smiling. Her love of family and friends is the legacy that lives on through us all, and through the generations that follow as we give love and kindness to others as Anne Best gave to us.
Our thanks go out to Reverend Blair Haggart and Dr Penhall. A special thank you to all the Home Support Workers that helped Anne in her last days, and to all who have helped us through this difficult time.
Anne Best’s life will be celebrated at St. Peters Anglican Church, 228 South Dogwood St, Campbell River, at 1PM on July 9. In lieu of flowers, it was Anne’s wish that people honour her memory by donating to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.