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Anne Sparling Obituary


ANNE ONYSCHUK SPARLING
November 21, 1925 ˜ August 3,
2022

Anne Onyschuk Sparling passed away peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022, with family at her bedside in Santa Maria, CA.
Anne was born Nov. 21, 1925 in Mundare, Alberta, a small, predominately Ukrainian village on the Canadian prairie. Although she grew up during the Great Depression, she reminisced fondly and frequently about her childhood on the farm. All of her life, she remembered by name her dad’s teams of work horses, various milk cows, and the ducks, chickens and geese on the farm as well as her mother’s beautiful gardens; Anne never lost her love for or awe of God’s creation. She often said that her happiest memories were grazing their cows along the country roads, lying on her back watching the clouds while the cows munched grass contentedly.
Although Anne did not speak English until she began the 1st grade, it quickly became apparent that she was an excellent student. However, social norms being what they were in the 1940s, as the end of her high school years approached, she chose not to go to college, but instead to go live with her older sister, Alexandra, in the “big city” of Edmonton, Alberta, where she could join her sister working in the Military PX. When the war ended, she became the personal secretary to Joe Sparling, owner of Sparling-Davis Construction, where she met Joe’s nephew, Jerry Sparling. Anne and Jerry fell in love and were wed in Edmonton July 6, 1953. Marcia and Ed, the first of their three children, were born in Edmonton.
While her husband continued to work for Sparling-Davis, the family moved frequently, living in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec, Valdez, and Fairbanks. In 1960, the couple returned from Alaska to Jerry’s home of California seeking opportunity for themselves and opportunity for their children to receive the best educations they could provide. While there, they had Alexandra, their third and final child. They were eventually able to purchase a home in the country in Salinas, CA, which was always a dream of Anne’s; she wanted to be outside as much as she could.
In Salinas, Anne began working in the horticultural industry, at Yoder’s Chrysanthemums and Sunnyside Nurseries. She relished the opportunity to learn the scientific principles of growing beautiful plants. She was an enthusiastic gardener, and she loved having the opportunity to learn more through her work. Although she was fortunate to find work that she enjoyed, what meant the most to her was being a good mother to her three children, and for her, at the top of the list of what that meant, was teaching her children to love to read and love to learn. She wanted her children to have endless opportunities, and she fervently believed that the key to that was education. For that gift, all of her children are deeply grateful.
In 1996, Anne and Jerry moved to La Center, WA,where they lived happily in the country near their eldest daughter and their son and their respective families. In La Center, Anne enjoyed gardening, birds, horses, llamas and dogs. In 2015, as life in the country became more difficult, they moved to Santa Maria, CA to be closer to their youngest daughter and her family.
Anne was a woman ahead of her time. Long before her peers were discussing these things, Anne was concerned about the health of the environment and just treatment for the vulnerable, both people and animals. Although she had a classic Ukrainian reserved nature, her heart was big and full of love. She made friends easily, would not let you leave without feeding you, and was always admired for her wit, spunk and unique take on the world.
Anne is survived by her three children, Marcia Sparling (Michael Coppock), Edward Sparling (Barbara), and Alexandra “Chrissy” Allen (Paul); her grandchildren, Cameron and Christopher Coppock and Brooks and Tyler Sparling; and her sister, Darcie Sheppard, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Sparling; her father, Gregor Onyschuk; her mother, Mary (Shavchook) Onyschuk; her brother, Fred Onyschuk; and her sisters, Alexandra Biddeson and Sonya Darnsborough.
There will be a memorial service Tuesday, Aug. 16 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, 1101 NE 112th Avenue, Vancouver, WA at 10 a.m., all are welcome. Burial service will follow immediately at Mountain View Cemetery in Amboy, WA.
Please share a memory @ www.columbian.com/obits

Published by The Columbian on Aug. 12, 2022.
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Memories and Condolences
for Anne Sparling

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5 Entries

Auntie Anne, who would sneak into my bed on a weekend morning and paint my nails when I was very little. And scared the daylights out of me reading Grimms' Fairy Tales and Pinocchio - then switched to Winnie The Pooh when she realized it.

We've had the best talks about the state of the world. Our phone conversations have always been so satisfying.

She has the best laugh and the biggest heart. I have always loved her dearly.

Diane (Biddeson) McDannold

Family

August 15, 2022

Auntie Anne. Memories of you and Jerry visiting Alex with the white ford dully truck and 5th wheel trailer. To Jerry gifting me a California Highway patrol shirt. And you coming to visit alone making perogies with my dad and I to having hot wings with a gin and tonic. The most interesting family member by far. I’ll never forget all of the stories you shared especially about my grandpa Don who I never really got to meet. You were very near and dear to so many and you will be missed by so so many, especially my dad Dale. I always looked forward to hearing about what you spoke about and wish I had made a better effort to speak with you as of late. The most intelligent and in the know lady - thats who you are. I’m happy my fiancée got to chat with you on the phone. Thank you for being so special. You will forever be in my heart. Love you and I will see you again.

Christopher Biddeson

Family

August 15, 2022

Auntie. That´s what we called you. My other aunt´s had names. You were special. You were Auntie. After mom passed you were the sister who became my best friend and touched base with me every few weeks. You are such a special person. My Auntie. Safe travels.

Dale Biddeson

Family

August 15, 2022

Although I do not know Anne, I am aquainted with the family through my son who attended school with Brooks, her grandson. I can see how Anne´s kindness and values live on through her descendants. I enjoyed reading the story of her life. Thank you for sharing.

Christine Elias

August 12, 2022

Dear Chrissy and Family,
The beautiful obituary that you wrote for your mom brings back memories of her to me. I will always remember her love and appreciation of nature and her love for all living things.
She was a very special person. I am grateful to have shared some years of friendship with her when your parents lived in Salinas.
I am sending heartfelt condolences and sympathy to you all during this sad time.
Sincerely,
Mary Kay Toyne

Mary Kay Toyne

Friend

August 12, 2022

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Memorial Events
for Anne Sparling

Aug

11

Memorial Mass

2:00 p.m.

St. Louis de Montfort Church

1190 E. Clark Avenue, Santa Maria, CA

Aug

16

Memorial service

Hazen Chapel Wesleyan Church

CA

Aug

16

Burial

Mountain View Cemetery

Amboy, WA

Funeral services provided by:

Evergreen Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel

1101 NE 112th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684

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