Annie Barbara Vas, of Lethbridge, Alberta, beloved wife of Eugene (Gene) Balay, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge, on November 11, 2024 at the age of 89 years.

Annie was born on September 9,1935 to Joseph and Barbara Vas of Wrentham, Alberta. Annie grew up on the farm near Wrentham. From her mother she learned the cooking, canning, and baking skills which made her famous with friends and family for her whole life.

Annie attended Wrentham School, graduating as Valedictorian in 1953. She went on to Edmonton to the University of Alberta and enrolled in the Faculty of Education. She received her Bachelor of Education degree in 1960. Her teaching career began in Dickson, Alberta. She then taught at the Alberta Correspondence School in Edmonton and Barrhead until she retired. It was here that at the age of 50, she met the love of her life Eugene (Gene) Balay.

After retirement, the two of them made their home in Lethbridge. They spent much of their time travelling. They travelled twice across Canada, returning via northern USA. They visited Russia, Ukraine, Crimea and Rumania; and made several visits to England, Denmark, and Scotland to visit relatives and friends. When they were not travelling, they had a busy home. Although Annie had no children of her own, she helped family and friends with theirs ... eleven in total!

Annie will always be remembered as a kind, loving, humble person who always put the needs of others before her own.

Besides her loving husband Gene, Annie is survived by her sister Rose (Nicholson), Harold Nicholson, the "Eleven Children", sister-in-law Gillian Vas, Susanne Dyke, Cheryl Balay, David Balay and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents Joseph and Barbara Vas, brothers Joseph, Frank, John, and sisters Irene and Mary.

A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM, Monday, December 2, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 – 4 STREET SOUTH, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at ST. MARTHA’S PARISH, 355 COLUMBIA BLVD WEST, LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, with Father William Monis, celebrant. The Mass will be recorded and will be available to watch at https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Annie-Vas

For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 5241 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5G8.