Two Hills’ Oldest Living Pioneer Anne Iftody Celebrates 99 Years of an Active Life

Two Hills’ Oldest Living Pioneer Anne Iftody Celebrates 99 Years of an Active Life

Rosanne Fortier News Correspondent

Anne Iftody was born on a farm seven miles from Two Hills where she grew up with her parents and four brothers and two sisters. Her daughter, Patricia Dehid said her mother worked hard on the farm as a kid. Anne’s family had a huge garden. “They were poor when mom was growing up but once my mother’s father started running the store, they had more money,” Patricia said. The family moved into town when Anne was five-years-old and her father ran the general store and post office.

Anne did well at school but she had to quit in grade nine to help her father with the general store, Double V. Foodland they owned.

Anne met her husband Metro when she was running for raffle queen. Whoever sold the most tickets won this position. “They had a dance at the old school hall at Two Hills. Metro asked Anne if he could have this dance and mom said he could if he bought a ticket. He came back and bought all of the tickets so she would dance every dance with him. So, Anne became queen. I think it was love at first sight for both of them. Mom thought he was very handsome and he felt she was gorgeous and very nice,” Pat explained.

Anne and Metro Iftody married on July 16, 1940, and they had two daughters, Patricia and Arlene. When they were first married, Metro ran Iftody Cockshutt Farm Implements for 37 years and Anne worked as his secretary. She also worked part-time at the Post Office in Two Hills for 22 years.

In 1977, Anne was given a plaque by the Town of Two Hills 50th Anniversary for her and her family being pioneers.

Anne was active in many service clubs and organizations. Anne received a plaque and recognition for being the only charter member for 75 years for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Ladies Association at Two Hills. Now, Anne would be a member for 78 years. She was a member of the Royal Purple, a charter member of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, member of the Two Hills Ladies Hospital Auxiliary for 48 years, Girl Guides instructor, member of the Red Cross, drove for Meals on Wheels, soprano and member of the church choir, a member of the curling club, and more.

Anne’s daughter, Pat said her mother Anne lived in her own home up until three years ago when she moved into the Two Hills Eagle View Lodge. “Anne had more energy than her daughters have. We knick named her the energizer bunny. Laughter and music abounded at our parents’ home and our door was always opened to everyone. She is the sunshine in many people’s lives. We are inspired by her incredible love, compassion, and generosity. She loves spending time with family and friends. Anne loved to play cards. Her sense of humor is incredible. We say if she is not a card; she is the whole darn deck! She still has that. She could make

you laugh in five minutes. Also, she was a master of baking and she has a wonderful way of making everyone feel special. When we walked into her house, she would sing, In the Mood, and dance to this song with the person,” Pat expressed.

Anne, this firecracker as her daughter Pat calls her, celebrated her 99th birthday on May 22 outside the Two Hills Eagle View Lodge where they were only allowed to have two people visit Anne at a time due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The family who attended were her daughter, Pat Dehid, niece, Sharon Hart, and her husband, Brian, nephew, David Bachinsky, and his partner, Shirley.

Today Anne has four grandchildren, Jeff Dehid, Jamie (Al Morosin), Chelsea Danchuk, and three great grandchildren-Avery Morosin, Kate Danchuk, and Harvey Danchuk.

Pat credits Anne’s long life to Anne being always on the move and always working. Pat said her mother’s house and garden were always immaculately kept. And of course, Pat’s optimistic attitude pulled her through everything.