Obituaries

It is with broken hearts we must announce the passing of our mother, daughter, sister and friend, Annette Marie MacFarlane (nee Karchewski). She left us peacefully January 28, 2025 with her children and sisters by her side after experiencing complications from an autoimmune disease. She lived her life to the fullest for 61 cherished years.

Born in Regina, SK Annette grew up in Northwest Regina attending St. Mary’s School and Archbishop O’Neill High School, as well as Holy Trinity and Holy Family Parishes. At school, she excelled in sports including basketball and track, earning the title Female Athlete of the Year in elementary school.

Annette was a dedicated employee to Canada Post for 36 years, where she was a “go to” for answers to questions, giving advice to anyone who needed it, whether it be during work hours, off hours or weekends; she was always willing to help. Even though she was the second youngest of five children, she was the leader of the family, someone you would ask for advice or would want to share an idea with.

A fun-loving woman with an adventurous spirit, she embraced all life had to offer. Many meaningful memories were made on trips with her life-long best friends, Darcy and Janice. Apparently three sisters just weren’t enough, as these two were more family than friend. She enjoyed traveling to Cuba, Mexico, Hawaii, Palm Springs, Phoenix, road trips to St. Albert/Edmonton to visit her sister Carol, and many visits to her parent’s cottage in the summers.

Health and fitness were very important to Annette, she rarely, if ever, missed her daily walk and proclaimed that she never had a frozen meal in her life. Eating healthy was an important part of her lifestyle.

A woman of class, Annette was always expressing herself through fun, stylish outfits and thoughtful accessories. This aesthetic appreciation extended into the way she decorated her home, curating her furnishings to perfectly suit herself and creating an atmosphere she loved.

She was a music lover and if you were close enough, you would hear her singing the latest tune. Annette was still involved in sports as an avid fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Dallas Cowboys, Toronto Blue Jays, tennis, Team Canada hockey and Formula 1 racing. She enjoyed working with her hands, dabbling in painting, origami and diamond art. The competitiveness she learned from sports was always shown in her love of card games, backyard volleyball and badminton.

Something she carried through life was a true love of reading, a passion shared with both her father and daughter. She had a penchant for thrillers and historical fiction, in recent years her and Brittney would read many of the same books, whether the latest Canada Reads pick or racy fantasy that made her blush. A favourite book Annette held close to her heart was “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr.

The highlight of Annette’s life was becoming a mother, a job she excelled at. A gentle and involved parent, she gave her kids room to explore and create and discover where their passions lay. She was always front row cheering them on and expressing her pride in their accomplishments. A true reflection of herself, she raised her kids to be caring, trustworthy, empathetic, courageous and kind.

We are grateful our dear Netsie is at peace but are devastated imagining a future without her in it. We’ll think of her in the spring when the lilacs bloom and hear her in every Blue Rodeo and Bon Jovi song. We’ll see her in the colour purple and be reminded she’s with us as we take in each vivid sunset. We’ll miss her smile, laugh, quick wit and sense of humour. We’ll miss the vibrancy she carried into every room. Gone but never, ever forgotten.

Annette will be lovingly remembered by her children Jordan and Brittney (Peter) MacFarlane, parents Longene and Sally Karchewski, siblings Connie (Brad) Dewald, Janice (Bob) Boa, Carol (Russ) Stevenson, Paul (Angie) Karchewski, as well as nieces, nephews, numerous extended family and friends. She was also “grandma” to family pets Kido and Sandor, who meant a great deal to her.

A Private Celebration of Life will be organized by her family and held at a later date.