Ana Kodric

June 30, 1928 - September 23, 2023

In Loving Memory ~

With Love and pride we announce the passing of our Mom, Gramma, and friend, Ana Kodric on September 23, 2023 at the age of 95.

Ana was born in Croatia on June 30, 1928. Her dad, Frank Duralia, came to Canada before she was born. His plan was to work for 10 years, sending back money and supplies as he worked and return to Croatia with a nest egg. World War II started and he could not return. Ana and her mom, Maria survived the war, but her older brother, Paul, at 15, was incarcerated, never to return. Despite the horrors of war, she spoke fondly of her youth.

In 1948, she married her childhood sweetheart, Victor, and soon welcomed 2 sons. Meanwhile in Chemainus, her dad decided to bring his wife to Canada instead of returning to Croatia. 5 years passed, and Frank saved enough money to bring Ana, Victor and now 3 sons to Chemainus in 1959.

Victor gained employment at Chemainus sawmill and they built their one and only home on Chemainus Road. In 1961, their 4th son was born. She loved her adopted home. Her gardens were an inspiration, canning, preserving, butchering their own meat to feed their hungry boys. Her cooking and baking were second to none, making everything from scratch.

She taught herself to read English, and as an avid reader, she always had a book on the go. She adored the outdoors, referring to herself as a "country girl." Always a poet, she could bust a rhyme better than Eminem.

Going for a walk was a pleasure for her and she always greeted you with a cheerful smile. She loved all her sons' friends and they loved her, beeping and waving as they went by her home. Her pride and pure joy were her grandchildren always saying "good morning grandchildren" to their pictures. She cherished visits from family and friends. You never left her place hungry, thirsty, or sad.

Her last 6 years were spent at Oyster Harbor care home in Ladysmith. To the staff of Oyster Harbor: She could not have spent the last years of her life in a more caring, loving place; from the greeters, the cleanliness, the great food, spotless laundry, super fun activities and the compassion and kindness of the care aids. The love you felt for her was reciprocal. YOU ALL ROCK!

In the words of Florence James: "If you want people to like you, make yourself lovable" Ana, wrote the book for that! "Mountain Mama" took the "Country Road Home".

Ana was predeceased by her husband, Victor and son, Frank.

She is survived by sons: Paul, (Carlotta), Brian, (Wendy), and Wally; grandchildren: Lance, Keighly, Tristan, Ashley, Nikole, Jesse, Corey, Jaimee, Jeremy, Hannah, Hayley and Matt as well as twelve great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30pm on Friday, October 6, 2023 at Mount Brenton Golf Course, 2816 Henry Road, Chemainus, BC.

All those who knew her are welcome to join the family for Charcuterie, drinks and stories of her life.

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