MRS. ANNA MAGDALENA RUSHFORD, beloved wife of the late Maynard Eugene Rushford, of Lethbridge passed away at the St. Michael's Health Centre, on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the age of 84 years. Anna was born in Grassy Lake, AB. on February 28, 1925. She received her education in Grassy Lake and Taber. She later moved to Lethbridge to work as a bank clerk. On November 14, 1946 at Grassy Lake Assumption Church, she married Maynard. They resided in Lethbridge where they raised three children. Anna furthered her education by taking nursing aid training. She was employed for a time at the Galt Hospital and in May 1969 was employed by the Lethbridge Regional Hospital. In 1984 she was honoured for 15 years of service with the Lethbridge Regional Hospital's auxiliary wing. Over the years Anna was a volunteer worker with the Boy Scouts of Canada, the Lethbridge Heart and Lung Foundation and the Catholic Women's League (St. Basil's Church). Her hobbies were gardening, copper tooling, embroidery, sewing and knitting. Over the years, many children enjoyed her beautiful knit doll clothes which she also donated to various groups for fundraising. Anna is survived by her three children Theresa Ann (Larry) Rudolph of Lethbridge, Gregory (Susan) Rushford of Calgary and David Rushford of Lethbridge; four grandchildren Kimberly (Greg) Smith of Calgary, Kevin (Jennifer) Rudolph of Red Deer, Melissa (Michael) Hagarty of Calgary and Melanie Rushford of Lethbridge and two great-grandchildren Kiera and Ethan Hagarty of Calgary. She is also survived by her sister Mae (Joe) Heintz of Burlington, ON., sister Eleanor (Larry) Tetz of Cranbrook, B.C. and her sister-in-law Connie (Martin) Fettig and Betty (Shorty) Rushford both of Lethbridge. Anna was predeceased by her loving husband Maynard Eugene Rushford, her parents Francis and Casper Fettig and her brother Martin Fettig. Anna was a resident of St. Michael's Health Centre for six years. The family extends their sincere appreciation for the dedication and care given by the staff at St. Michael's Health Centre, and to Mary the caring and ever cheerful feeding volunteer. We would also like to thank (Seniors Spirituality) Terry Hnatkowski for administering the last rites, to Andrew for his beautiful singing and guitar playing in Anna's final hours and to those caregiver's who offered the family such wonderful caring support during this time. The family has requested there be no Memorial Service or viewing. A private interment will be held at a later date in Medicine Hat, AB. in the family plot beside her husband. A request to the All Saints Parish has been made to have Anna included in the Prayers of the Faithful on Sunday, September 27, 2009. A POEM TO GRANDMA ANNA RUSHFORD I know that you are in a much better place But I can't keep from saying, I wish you were here so I could see your face. I miss the way you smiled when I looked over at you in your garden on those hot, sunny days. I don't want you to know, but ever since you left, everything has just been a haze You were the one who was always there If you were doing something and I needed you, you would put it aside without a care. At times, we yelled at one another like any two people in a family would, But we would always go back to where we should. You weren't ashamed of the way you were I loved you more than anything, and that was for sure. Because I am selfish, I wish you were with me; But I can't do that - I know that where you are now You are as happy as can be. You need to know that since you left, I lost my best friend But I know that I will be able to see you when my life does end. In the meanwhile, I will try to do my best Make you proud of the girl you see and never second guessed. I will use the wisdom and love you left me with Forever, I want you to know that you left me with a special gift. I will never come upon another woman as wonderful as you I will be happy though because I know you hated it when I was blue. You are greatly missed: Great Grandma, Grandma, Mother, Aunt, Sister and a friend.