Anna McCracken

It is with profound sadness that we write that Anna McCracken passed away at Deep River Hospital on Sunday morning, Sept 20th.

Anna was born on January 8th, 1944 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and received her undergraduate degree there.  At the University of Leeds, she obtained her Ph.D. in Pharmacology in 1969, which served her well for various research positions.  Later that year, she and her husband David McCracken came to Canada, settling into life near the Canadian Rockies.  Her work life saw her busy at the Foothills Hospital with the University of Calgary, doing pharmacological research.  Their “off-duty” life was dedicated to enjoyment of the outdoors, learning how to X-C ski in the mountains, hiking, going on canoe trips and also learning how to drive.

After Calgary, they moved back to Britain for about eight years, where Anna had an academic position, possibly in Bristol.  But Canada was calling to them, and the McCrackens moved to Deep River around 1982, with Anna deciding to concentrate on her other passion in life, painting.  She was a very talented artist, but had not been able to dedicate enough time to art, so that was the plan at the time.  Deep River brought more exciting pastimes such as windsurfing, Scottish Country Dancing, skating, swimming, and skiing through the woods. 

Unfortunately, Anna suffered a very severe car accident in the mid-eighties, and after coming out of a coma, she had to re-learn “everything” in life.  With wrecked knees and impaired vision in one eye, she approached life with great determination and curiosity.  Anna was always very curious, and loved to hear her friend’s explanations of whatever topic was of interest to her at the moment.  Even during the last weeks of her life, she could be heard asking questions, and when she heard the response, she would often say “Wow!  Really?  Cor….”  (keeping some of her Scottish expressions in use).

Anna had to make her way in life on her own for over thirty years, and loved being in Deep River, where she had friends to enjoy and wonderful neighbours to keep an eye on her.  She also enjoyed traveling and went on many tours in Europe and Asia.  She used to say that she “lived like a church mouse” so that she could save up to go on another trip.  Her Scottish roots served her well.

Deep River has lost one of its amazing citizens, and Anna will be sadly missed by her many friends.  We would like to thank the Deep River Hospital and their nursing staff for the excellent care Anna received in the last week of her life.  In-memoriam donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Deep River Hospital.

On October 5th from 2-4 p.m., a visitation and celebration of Anna’s life will be held at the Valley Funeral Home.  Please come along with your memories and stories of her to share.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anna McCracken, please visit our floral store.