Mrs. Anesei Nazaroff of Rimbey, Alberta passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Rimbey on Monday, December 29, 2008 at the age of 105 years.
Anesei was born on January 12, 1903 in the village of Tomsk, Siberia to Ivan (John) and Wasalisa Pohaboff. She was one of eight children. Following the death of her mother in 1917, Anesei was taken by her father to live in a Russian settlement in Harbin, China. When she was 16 years old, Anesei met Vladimir Zabazliaf. They were married on November 22, 1922. In 1925, Ivan chose to immigrate to Canada, and invited his daughter and her husband to accompany him. It was decided that father and daughter would sail ahead and send Vladimir a ticket to join them. He never did.
After landing in Vancouver, Anesei and Ivan, along with other Russian immigrants who had sailed with them, were brought to Wetaskiwin. They settled for a short time in the Falun, Alberta area, and then returned to Vancouver where Anesei found work as a domestic. At age 25, on January 12, 1930, she married Sergei Rabochenko. The couple settled in Elk Bay, B.C., where Sergei was a logger. Here their son, George was born in 1931. Seven years later, they bought an acre of land at Robert’s Creek, B.C. It was here that their daughter, Sonya was born in 1940. Sergei died in December of that same year. In 1944, Anesei sold her house and acreage, and in April of that year she married Alex Nazaroff. They moved to Alberta that same year, and bought a farm in the Springdale area. There they lived until 1961, when they moved to a house in Bluffton. Alex died the following year. Anesei became a housekeeper for Peter Yakushim in Eckville. Following his death, she bought a little house in Rimbey, where she lived happily until August, 2002, when she moved into the Parkland Manor. Then in 2007, Anesei moved to Continuing Care at the Rimbey Hospital, where she resided until her passing.
Anesei was an avid reader, and in spite of the fact that she had no formal education, she was able to read both Russian and English. She cherished her bible, and held dearly to her faith. She enjoyed being active in community clubs.
Anesei was predeceased by her daughter, Sonya in 2005; and by her son, George in 2007. In spite of the sorrows and tragedies that she experienced, Anesei maintained a wonderful sense of fun and humor. She loved to listen to a good story, and her laugh was perfectly contagious. She enjoyed crocheting afghans, and generously gave those lovely, colorful throws to her many friends. Her love for color also extended to her yard and garden, which she maintained as long as she lived in her house. Anesei will be missed by her numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren; as well as by her many cherished friends.
A Funeral Service in Celebration of Anesei’s Life was held at St. Mary’s Convent, Bluffton on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Father Gabriel Lee, Celebrant. Interment followed in St. Mary’s Orthodox Convent Cemetery, Bluffton. If friends desire, memorial tributes in Anesei’s Memory may be made directly to the Rimbey Hospital and Care Centre, Box 440, Rimbey, Alberta T0C 2J0. Condolences to the Family may also be expressed by e-mail to: special_reflections@telusplanet.net
Burial Arrangements for the
Late Mrs. Anesei Nazaroff entrusted to the care of
Oberhammer Funeral Chapels Ltd.
Rimbey, Alberta
Telephone (403) 843-4445