Anne Romanchuk, (nee Bikow), was born June 9, 1930 and died on June 11, two days after her 94th birthday, surrounded by love and family at Etobicoke General Hospital. Anne had a stroke in late April and suffered a number of complications. We are so grateful to Valerie DeFlorio and Angel Aquino for their loving care and support of “Annie”.
Anne was born in London, Ontario to her beloved parents, Adam and Mary Bikow, immigrants from Belarus. Anne finished high school in London Ontario, becoming a secretary at London Life Insurance Company. She was a gifted singer (soprano) and sang at weddings in London. She married Edward Prokipchuk in 1954 and they had two children, Deborah (Ackley) and David (Prokipchuk). Anne and Ed moved several times as Ed pursued his medical training, but they eventually settled in Toronto. Anne supported Ed’s medical practice by doing billings, and was an avid volunteer at St. Michael’s Hospital for many years. After their divorce, in 1971, Anne went back to school and finished a BA (York University) and a teaching degree (University of Toronto). She taught English and computer skills at Community Colleges in both Toronto and London.
After twenty five years of being single, Anne met Lou Romanchuk at a cottage of mutual friends in Georgian Bay. They got married at the Old Mill in Toronto in 1997. Anne and Lou moved between their homes in Michigan, Toronto, and Naples, Florida; enjoying Florida winters and summers in Canada. Anne made a generous and open home and nurtured great friendships everywhere she lived.
A year after Lou died, Anne had a stroke in 2015. She lived independently until 2019, with help from daughter Debbie. Son David, returned to Toronto, from British Columbia and moved in, supporting Anne to live in her home until her latest stroke.
Anne made friends and community everywhere she lived: Montreal; Toronto; London; Baltimore; Naples, Florida; and Lansing, Michigan. She was loved by and will be missed by all her family in the circle of life: her parents; Adam and Mary (deceased); her siblings, John and Nadia/Jess (Nelson) deceased; her children, David and Deborah (Mark and Jennifer), her grandchildren: Jay (deceased), Scott (Lindsey), and Lauren (James); her great-grandchildren, Mason, Harper, and newly born Finlay. Her nieces; Diane (Ben), Cathy, Linda and Joan. Her great niece and nephew, Kirsten (Ryan and daughter Clara) and Mark. Her step-children: Stephan (Kim), Robert (Lisa), her step-grandchildren: Joshua, Kathryn, and Daniel.
Anne will be missed by many of her great friends; too many to list, but please know that along with family, your friendship and the communities you all made were a defining feature of Anne’s life.
The funeral will be held on Tuesday, June 25 at 11:00 at Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, Windermere and Bloor. Doors will open at 10:00 to gather and view photo gallery. Service will start at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Diabetes Canada, or the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario.
Funeral Details
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Visitation
Turner & Porter - Yorke Chapel
2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S 1P4
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Tuesday, 25 Jun 2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Chapel Service
Turner & Porter - Yorke Chapel
2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M6S 1P4
Get Directions