Obituary for Anne Belliveau
Anne Belliveau: A Life Well Lived
Nine decades: a rich teaching career; countless books read; thousands of miles travelled; dozens of pets cherished; a loving marriage; 4 children; 4 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild, and a myriad of lives changed for the better. Margaret Anne Belliveau died just as she lived: with dignity, intention, and a will of steel.
Anne passed away peacefully, at home, and surrounded by family, on November 7, 2022, at the age of 88. Born on January 13, 1934, to proud parents, Arthur “Mac” McMullen and Martha “Mattie” McMullen, Anne spent her childhood in the small coal mining town of Nordegg, AB. Anne and her younger brother, Arthur Jr, enjoyed participating in outdoor pursuits and exploring the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. An exceptional student from a very early age, Anne was the recipient of Canada’s Governor General’s Medal for scholastic achievement. She graduated high school early and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Calgary. One of her first teaching jobs took her to another small town, Wainwright, AB, and it was there that she met and fell in love with a handsome young Army man, Chuck Belliveau. As they say, the rest is history! The beautiful young couple were married on August 31, 1957.
Over the next decade, Anne and Chuck welcomed four children: Charles Jr, Karen, Mike, and Pat. Being a military family, they were fortunate to see the country via Chuck’s various postings. They left Wainwright, AB, for Clinton, ON, and finally settled in Calgary, AB, in the mid 1970’s. Anne continued to enjoy a robust teaching career, teaching every grade from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and eventually settling into Secondary English Language Arts as her area of specialty. As she did with everything in her life, Anne gave 100% to her students, helping to shape and empower the minds of thousands of young students. She retired from her teaching career in 1998, after over 40 years as an educator. Following retirement, Anne managed to write and publish a book chronicling the history of her beloved home in David Thompson Country (‘Small Moments in Time: The Story of Alberta’s Big West Country’, 1999).
Anne was a night owl, a choc-a-holic, a world traveller, a coffee drinker, and a purveyor of fine fashion, good music, and culture. She was always dressed to the nines, and never passed up on the opportunity to visit new places. Over the years, Anne and Chuck travelled to Japan, Europe, Australia, Central America, and enjoyed many adventures throughout Canada and the US. They even had the opportunity to travel with their grandchildren on various school and sporting events. Perhaps the most special place for Anne and Chuck was Kihei, Maui, HI, an eternal favorite that held a special place in their hearts.
Anne will be lovingly remembered always and is survived by her brother, Arthur McMullen (Collette), her four children: Charles (Marinda), Karen, Mike, and Pat (Melanie), four grandchildren: Nicole, Ryan, Michael, and Kristian, and great grandchild: Aniston. She was predeceased by her parents (Mac and Mattie McMullen), husband (Chuck), daughter in-law (Patricia), son-in-law (Graham), and many other friends and family members. We will be celebrating the big and beautiful life of Anne on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from 3-6 pm, at the Inn on Officer’s Garden (150 Dieppe Drive, SW Calgary, AB T3E7L4). In lieu of flowers, Anne asked that you please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society in her memory.
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough,”
- Mae West
Nine decades: a rich teaching career; countless books read; thousands of miles travelled; dozens of pets cherished; a loving marriage; 4 children; 4 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild, and a myriad of lives changed for the better. Margaret Anne Belliveau died just as she lived: with dignity, intention, and a will of steel.
Anne passed away peacefully, at home, and surrounded by family, on November 7, 2022, at the age of 88. Born on January 13, 1934, to proud parents, Arthur “Mac” McMullen and Martha “Mattie” McMullen, Anne spent her childhood in the small coal mining town of Nordegg, AB. Anne and her younger brother, Arthur Jr, enjoyed participating in outdoor pursuits and exploring the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. An exceptional student from a very early age, Anne was the recipient of Canada’s Governor General’s Medal for scholastic achievement. She graduated high school early and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Calgary. One of her first teaching jobs took her to another small town, Wainwright, AB, and it was there that she met and fell in love with a handsome young Army man, Chuck Belliveau. As they say, the rest is history! The beautiful young couple were married on August 31, 1957.
Over the next decade, Anne and Chuck welcomed four children: Charles Jr, Karen, Mike, and Pat. Being a military family, they were fortunate to see the country via Chuck’s various postings. They left Wainwright, AB, for Clinton, ON, and finally settled in Calgary, AB, in the mid 1970’s. Anne continued to enjoy a robust teaching career, teaching every grade from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and eventually settling into Secondary English Language Arts as her area of specialty. As she did with everything in her life, Anne gave 100% to her students, helping to shape and empower the minds of thousands of young students. She retired from her teaching career in 1998, after over 40 years as an educator. Following retirement, Anne managed to write and publish a book chronicling the history of her beloved home in David Thompson Country (‘Small Moments in Time: The Story of Alberta’s Big West Country’, 1999).
Anne was a night owl, a choc-a-holic, a world traveller, a coffee drinker, and a purveyor of fine fashion, good music, and culture. She was always dressed to the nines, and never passed up on the opportunity to visit new places. Over the years, Anne and Chuck travelled to Japan, Europe, Australia, Central America, and enjoyed many adventures throughout Canada and the US. They even had the opportunity to travel with their grandchildren on various school and sporting events. Perhaps the most special place for Anne and Chuck was Kihei, Maui, HI, an eternal favorite that held a special place in their hearts.
Anne will be lovingly remembered always and is survived by her brother, Arthur McMullen (Collette), her four children: Charles (Marinda), Karen, Mike, and Pat (Melanie), four grandchildren: Nicole, Ryan, Michael, and Kristian, and great grandchild: Aniston. She was predeceased by her parents (Mac and Mattie McMullen), husband (Chuck), daughter in-law (Patricia), son-in-law (Graham), and many other friends and family members. We will be celebrating the big and beautiful life of Anne on Sunday, November 27, 2022, from 3-6 pm, at the Inn on Officer’s Garden (150 Dieppe Drive, SW Calgary, AB T3E7L4). In lieu of flowers, Anne asked that you please consider donating to the Canadian Cancer Society in her memory.
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough,”
- Mae West