Ann (Anu) Helena Kivinen-Andersen, 62, of Woodstock, NB, passed away peacefully at home on February 8, 2022, after a lengthy battle with kidney disease.

Ann was born on May 8, 1959, to Raili and Olavi Kivinen in Kristina, Finland. She spent her early childhood between her grandparents' homestead in Honkajoki, Finland, and Sweden before emigrating to Vancouver in 1967. She enjoyed many happy memories on the farm with her aunts and cousins.

Ann grew up in North Vancouver and later moved to Calgary, where she met her husband Richard Andersen of New Denmark. The couple relocated to New Brunswick with their daughter Clarissa, and later had a second daughter, Kathryn (Katy).

Ann worked as a nurse's aide and home care worker over the years. She loved writing and was proud to have had a few of her short stories published. She battled kidney disease since 2003 and leaned on her faith in Jesus throughout her adult life. She lived for her five grandchildren, they were her world and her driving force in life. She loved watching movies, especially with her children and grandchildren and enjoyed baking with them. She loved making pulla, a traditional Finnish bread, every Christmas. Ann loved to tease, laugh and make others laugh. She loved being "Nana" more than anything.

She was a voracious reader, especially of history and non-fiction, taking a great interest in royalty and people who overcame extraordinary circumstances. She would read to the family at special occasions, whether her own original stories or classics such as Hans Christian Andersen's The Fir Tree , a Christmas tradition. She had a soft spot for animals, especially cats, and helped many strays over the years. She loved flowers and the ocean.

Ann was predeceased by her granddaughter Destiny Andersen, brother Pali Kivinen, and mother Raili Kivinen. She is survived by husband Richard Andersen, daughters Clarissa Andersen-White and Kathryn (Katy) Andersen, son-in-law Nathan White, grandchildren Lawson Bryant, and Arabella, Benjamin and Ivy White, father Olavi Kivinen, brother Ilmo Kivinen, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Canada, Finland, and Sweden.

Resting at the Scott Funeral Home, 815 Main Street, Woodstock, NB

Private visitation was held at the Scott Funeral Home.

Following cremation,  Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, Feb 17, 2022, at 2 pm at the Calvary United Pentecostal Church,  Houlton Road, Woodstock, NB.   Rev. Michael Wittmeier officiating.

Clarissa and Katy would like to extend a special thank you to the devoted nurses of the Upper River Valley Hospital dialysis unit who cared for her over the years, and the many compassionate home care workers who were a large part of her daily life.

In lieu of flowers, Ann would have wanted a donation to be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, or to a local animal shelter, or for someone to adopt a pet in her memory.

www.scottfh.com