It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Ann Mackave, who left us peacefully and joined the Lord on June 12, 2025.
Ann was born Annie Sherstobitoff in 1933 in the Doukhobor settlement of Glade, BC. She was the first of four children born to hardworking and proud parents, Nick and Margaret (née Holoboff) Sherstobitoff.
Ann grew up in a small village in tough times, and access to school was very limited in her young years. In her teenage years, Ann worked as a nanny in Trail. She also worked in the Okanagan with her family in the orchards, as well as in a cannery-packing house.
Ann met her future husband, John Makeiff, at the Doukhobor summer music festival in Brilliant. They started dating in the early 1950s and were married in Glade on September 1, 1956. An additional wedding was held the next day in John’s hometown of Grand Forks.
Ann moved to Copper Mountain, where John was working, and their first son, Kim, was born in 1957. The couple soon moved to Remac, where her next son, Len, arrived in 1957, followed by her son, Mark, in 1962. In 1969, the family moved to Powell River and would continue to raise their children in this ideal, family-oriented, west coast community. Ann and John returned to their Kootenay roots in 1996, moving to Thrums and then to Castlegar in 2009.
Ann thoroughly enjoyed travelling with her husband John, family and friends. Hawaii was her favourite destination, and they also travelled to Mexico and Cuba and cruised the Caribbean for their 50th wedding anniversary. Adventures in their truck and camper were made across Canada and to Alaska. She also liked sewing, gardening, salmon fishing, canning, cooking and entertaining.
Ann loved her family unconditionally and always ensured they were well provided for. She was a very kind, caring, generous lady, very determined, who had tremendous spark and a great sense of humour. Ann was the first to step up, help anyone in need and, without reservation, had an open door to her home for an amazing meal and place to stay. She became a Christian and was actively involved in the Pentecostal churches in Powell River, Castlegar and, most recently, the Kinnaird Park Community Church.
Ann was predeceased by her husband John, sons Kim (Lori) and Len (Brenda), brother Willie (Shirley) and parents Nick and Margaret Sherstobitoff. She is survived by her son Mark (Norma), grandson Cody, and brothers Nick (Lola) and Stan (Debbie).
Ann will be deeply missed by all of her family, friends, and by anyone who knew her and whose lives she touched.
A celebration of life will be held at Kinnaird Park Community Church on Monday, September 1, at 11 am, followed by an internment of Ann’s ashes at the Shoreacres Cemetery at 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to honour Ann MacKave may be made to St. Paul’s Foundation’s Transcatheter Valve Program: give.helpstpauls.com/page/AnnMackave.
