Winifred Annabelle Sinclair

There are some people who quietly change the world through the way they love. Winifred Annabelle “Ann” Sinclair was one of those people. It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Ann on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, in St. Albert, Alberta, with her loving family by her side.

Ann’s story began on the family farm in Windthorst, Saskatchewan, where she was born the eldest of six children. As the oldest, she often helped care for her younger brothers and sisters, and family fondly recalled how she would take them to school by horse and buggy. Long before she became a nurse, Ann was already doing what she would spend the rest of her life doing; caring for others.

Those prairie beginnings shaped the woman she became. She learned the value of hard work, kindness, faith and putting others before herself. After graduating from nursing school in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Ann accepted her first nursing position in Swift Current, where she met the young man who would become the love of her life, Don Sinclair. Together they built a wonderful life filled with love, laughter and unwavering devotion to one another. Don’s career took the family across three provinces where they welcomed three children: Gregory born in Saskatchewan, Crystal in Alberta, and Matthew in Ontario.

Ann was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, registered nurse, grandmother, great-grandmother, caregiver and friend. If we had to choose one word to describe her, it would be "selfless." She spent her whole life making sure everyone else was okay. She remembered every birthday, every anniversary, every Christmas, and every milestone. No card ever arrived without a handwritten message and often a few dollars tucked inside. She never wanted much for herself, but she wanted everything for the people she loved.

For more than 45 years, Ann devoted herself to nursing, but nursing wasn’t simply her profession; it was who she was. She treated every patient as though they were family and brought comfort wherever she went. Even after retirement, she never stopped being a nurse. She continued caring for everyone around her.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved Christmas, birthdays, baking, gardening, long walks, listening to music, playing the piano, and spending time with the people she loved. She adored her beloved pets, especially Ely and Emersyn, along with every dog and cat fortunate enough to become part of her family.

Above everything else, Ann loved being a mother. She believed in each of her children long before they believed in themselves.

She quietly supported Gregory through every stage of life, helping him finish his paper route when he was too young to appreciate what she was doing, encouraging him through difficult years, helping him become a father, teaching him responsibility, forgiveness, hard work, sacrifice, and compassion, and even helping mend the relationship between father and son. She taught him that kindness is never weakness and that character is measured by how we treat other people.

She was Crystal’s best friend, shopping companion, gardening partner, baking teacher, karaoke buddy, and the person whose hugs could make everything feel okay. She supported Crystal’s teaching career by spending countless hours cutting and preparing classroom materials, and helped build her classroom library. Even as Alzheimer’s changed so much, it never changed how deeply loved Crystal felt every time she walked into her Mom’s room. Their nightly visits became one of the greatest gifts of both of their lives.

To Matthew, he was her youngest, her baby. She adored his sense of humour, his impressions and timing as Matt loved to make her laugh. She always supported his creativity and hobbies and they both shared a love for Edmonton Oilers hockey. Her years as a nurse taught Matt many practical skills that stayed with him throughout his life. She played a big role in raising her grandchildren Jett and Shiloh when they were little and was the most loving and adoring grandmother to them.

In her final weeks, Ann was blessed by precious visits from her siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family and dear friends. These visits served as a beautiful reminder of the deep roots she and Don had planted throughout their lives.

After Don’s passing, Crystal lovingly kept Mom in the home she loved far longer than anyone thought possible. As Alzheimer’s gradually stole more of Ann’s independence, Crystal walked beside her every step of the journey, first as a daughter, then as an advocate, and eventually as a caregiver. Even after Mom moved into long-term care, Crystal remained her constant companion, making sure she always felt safe, respected, and deeply loved. Matthew continued his regular visits and treasured the time they shared together, while Gregory cherished every phone call and FaceTime visit from across the country.

Family remained by Ann’s side as she left this Earth. Holding her hand, Crystal lovingly told Mom it was okay to fly high into the beautiful blue sky to be with Dad and thanked her for being their Mom. She assured her they would be okay, and promised that the very best of who she was would continue to live on through all of them. Mom often said she didn’t want to make a fuss and never realized how many lives she had touched. She would have been overwhelmed by the incredible outpouring of love that followed her passing.

Ann was predeceased by her beloved husband, Don Sinclair; her parents Ida and Lloyd Corscadden; and her dear sister, Darlene Heron. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Gregory, Crystal, and Matthew; daughter-in-law Holly; granddaughter-in-law Sydnee; grandchildren Nicholas, Shiloh, and Jett; great-grandchildren Christian, Gracyn, and Dominik; sisters Linda, Coreen, and Brenda; brother Brian; their spouses and families; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends whose lives she touched.

Alzheimer’s disease became a cruel thief. It slowly stole Ann’s independence, her freedom to drive, her confidence, her mobility, and eventually softened the beautiful voice her family knew so well. It gradually took away so many of the simple pleasures she once enjoyed. But Alzheimer’s never touched her heart. It never changed how loved she made people feel. Ann was the centre of her family's world and will be missed beyond measure. The world is a little dimmer without her but infinitely brighter because she was here.

In honouring Ann’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Ann’s internment and Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 10 at 1:00 pm. at the St. Albert Municipal Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer Society: Alberta and Northwest Territories or the Edmonton Humane Society.