Anne Kokic

Kokić (Harper), Anne - Halifax Anne died in the early hours of October 19th, 2021 in her room at St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Halifax, as she had hoped she would: “in my sleep, in a cozy atmosphere, with my family around me”. Born in Saint John in 1945, the second child of Royden and Kay (Sheehan) Harper, she grew up with her seven siblings in Moncton and New Glasgow. Anne was a loving wife, mother, entrepreneur, schoolteacher, lifelong learner, caregiver and mentor to many. Her great adventure began not long out of high school. Armed with a family CN rail pass, a desire to strike out on her own, and to visit her beloved Aunt Helen, Anne made what would be a fateful train trip to Montreal. An original hippie, she loved Montreal and the cultural revolution that was unfolding at that time. It was there that she met Tony, her husband to be, a recent immigrant from Croatia. They would have five children while pursuing their education, teaching careers and business ventures in Montreal, West Palm Beach and Moncton. Family life in the Kokić household was a crazy, wonderful place to grow up. Anne and Tony welcomed newcomers to Canada, students and family from all over the world, sharing their modest means. They loved cooking and entertaining, encouraging lively discussions of philosophy, politics, and religion. They cared deeply about the world they lived in and believed in sharing their good fortune with others. Summers were spent on the beautiful Acadian shore of Caissie Cape, NB. It was there that Anne and Tony built their A-Frame cottage and eventually “The Shack”, a two story post and beam hangout for the kids. Yet another gathering place for family and friends. Shortly after moving to the Moncton area, Tony died suddenly. The family was shattered and at the age of 37 Anne was faced with parenting her school-aged children on her own. After many challenging years and the help of family, friends and community, she made the brave and bold decision to move her family to Halifax to continue her education. She attended Dalhousie University where she received her degree in social work, diploma in public administration and discovered her great love of Russian Literature. With her strong intellect and lifelong commitment to learning, she loved her time studying at Dal. Anne spent the next several years working as a caregiver for Northwood Homecare. Forever patient and compassionate, her love of people, their stories and her incredible generosity made her well suited for this very important work. Anne was a good person. She lived her life with honesty and integrity and her gentle and loving nature remained despite her declining health. Anne is survived by her daughters Kathy (Nik) Veldhoen, Maja Kokić, Angie Kokić, her son Peter Kokić, her beloved granddaughter, Anna-Claire Roberts, all her siblings and their spouses, her Croatian family, numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and countless friends, many of whom she was close to from an early age. Besides her husband, she is predeceased by her son Stephan Kokić. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all who provided care to Anne over the years, including her community at Spring Garden Terrace, caregivers at St. Vincent’s, her dialysis unit teams and those who transported her with care. A celebration of Anne’s life will be held at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers please help someone you know in need or make a donation to your local food bank.

Anne Kokic

November 5, 1945 - October 19, 2021