ANNA JUNE BROK

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Anna (Annie) June Brok on November 10, 2020 in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the age of 27.  Anna had a heart transplant at a very young age and passed from complications due to heart failure and pulmonary flash edema at the St. Boniface Hospital.

Left to mourn her passing and treasure her memory are her parents Krystyna Brok and Ryszard Brok (Dorota). In addition to her parents, Anna will be remembered fondly by her sister Elissa Brok (Adam Campbell), brother William Brok and her stepbrother Jakub Zoltowski. Anna has left behind numerous cousins and extended family members to mourn her including Dallas, Bryce and Thomas Andrushak, Karen Kosowski (Marc), Jennifer Sproule (Stephan) Michael Kosowski and Dylan Rideout (Karen). A few of her closest aunts were Donna Kosowski, Theresa Rideout (Wayne), and Dorothy Andrushak (Gord). Her uncle Jurek Brok and godfather Rafal Brok (Alicja). Anna had a special connection to every member of her family and will be missed greatly by all of them.  She was predeceased by Henryk Brok (paternal grandfather) Joana Brok (paternal grandmother), Wendelin Procek (maternal grandfather), Louise Rideout (cousin) and Regina Procek,(maternal grandmother).

Anna was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 9,1993. She spent the beginning of her life in the small town of Gilliam, Manitoba. At the age of four, Anna moved to the town of Pinawa, Manitoba. She spent the majority of her childhood in this town and had a strong connection to the community here. Many great moments were had growing up in Pinawa for Anna. She had a happy childhood filled with many close friendships here. She loved swimming in the community pool and taking part in other activities available to her. She was an energetic child who brought an atmosphere of creativity, silliness and love wherever she went. Anna had a loving relationship with her parents. She always loved animals and grew up with two pet dogs. As an adult she had two pet cats that she adored.

Anna described herself as an artist.  She was clever, quick witted and well spoken. She applied her knowledge towards graduating high school from Stonewall Collegiate Institute. Anna attended post-secondary schooling at University of Manitoba, where she took a few classes with her sister Elissa. Eventually she decided to follow her heart and passion which lead her to leave the University of Manitoba. She instead decided to pursue a degree in the arts. Anna graduated with a degree in graphic design from CDI college. She paved her own path in life and took things at her own pace. She worked a few positions in the field of graphic design and eventually settled on focusing her efforts on creating art for herself. Anna wanted to be her own boss in her career and life. She craved independence and began to connect with others who were looking to hire her for freelance work. She explored many different artistic paths but would often focus on drawing and painting. She painted many different pieces that family members will cherish going forward.

Anna loved reading in her spare time. One of her favourite authors was John Green. She would share detailed summaries of the books to her family members. Anna and her sister Elissa exchanged a few books with each other in the final months of her life. Anna connected to others in her life through reading, art, movies, video games and other interests of hers. She would read books to her brother William and helped support him in developing his reading skills.  She was a good sister to William and taught him many things. She shared her passion for video games with him and they would watch lots of movies together.

Anna lived with her mother Krystyna for the last year of her life. She was cared and supported by her mother until she needed hospital care. Anna entered the hospital at end of September 2020. Over the course of the last year, Anna spent a lot of time with her immediate family. She often saw her brother when he came over and would spend lots of time with her father (Ryszard Brok).  Anna was supported and loved greatly by her father. They would often go out for a burger together and small shopping trips to spend quality time with each other. She would often go out for meals with family members. Anna loved Ukrainian food such as perogies and borscht. Anna and her sister went out for many meals during her life, but recently went out for perogies this summer. Anna would cook food for those she loved or help to teach them how to prepare different meals. Anna passed down the skill of teaching her brother William how to prepare a grilled cheese sandwich. Anna’s presence will never be forgotten at future family gatherings or meals.

Anna was able to visit many places around the world before passing away. She travelled to Disneyland which was taken after her heart transplant. During this trip, she swam with dolphins and went on many different amusement rides. Anna travelled to Vancouver, British Columbia and was able to see the Rocky Mountains. She spent some time in Calgary, Alberta with family and visited the hot springs nearby. She travelled to Poland twice to visit family who lived there. She was able to discover her family origins through this trip. She was always curious to discover more about herself. Anna immensely enjoyed her trip to London, England and would have liked to go back to visit.

We thank all of Anna’s health care workers for all of her care over the years. We are incredibly heartbroken by Anna’s sudden passing but grateful that we had all these extra years with her. Without the dedication and care of those health care providers, she would not have been able to experience all the wonderful things she did in her life. Anna has left her family with a multitude of memories that they will forever cherish. Anna was a creative artist who has left a mark on those who knew her true spirit. Anna’s spirit will live on through the memories, stories, artwork, and other pieces she shared with those she loved.

I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days and for that I am eternally grateful. -Hazel Grace (The Fault in Our Stars). This quote is from one of Anna’s favourite books, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.

We are devasted by the passing of Anna June Brok. We will love her forever and we recognize that her mark on those that loved her is everlasting.

A private viewing will be held at Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel with only immediate family members attending. The family hopes to have a celebration of life with extended family at a later date. The burial will be on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at Holy Ghost Cemetery located at 4287 Main Street, West Saint Paul, MB.

The family is asking that in memory of Anna June Brok, flowers be brought for placement on her casket previous to the burial, or a donation be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.