Anna “Anne” Antonia Szott
Sept. 14, 1930 – Feb. 4, 2024
Anna Szott passed away peacefully in Coronation Long Term Care at the age of 93. She was born to Maria and Anton Podruzny on Sept. 14, 1930 in Poland.
Times were tough in war-torn Poland, and in 1936 the family farm was sold and passage to North America was purchased for $700 on the maiden voyage of a ship called the Batory. Anna, her mother and father, brothers Frank and John, and baby sister Bernice embarked on a two-week journey to New York. From there, they took a train to Canada by way of Quebec, through Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and finally arrived in Round Hill, Alta. There they stayed with Anna’s aunt and uncle Nancy and Mike Kushnerick.
After a few weeks the Podruzny’s were able to rent a house and eventually bought land and built a home of their own.
During this time Anna’s brother Henry, sister Frances (Sister Mary Blaise), and her brother Bert were born. Anna attended school and helped raise her younger brothers and sisters, as her mother was often ill. She was proud to sing in the choir with her father when they went to church.
Anna worked at the bank in Holden, Alta. where she also acted as a translator for the customers as she could speak Polish, Ukranian and English.
During this time, she met and married her husband Peter B. Szott from the Daysland area. Together they farmed and raised seven children – Raymond, MaryAnne, Stanley, Victor, Patricia, Henry and Theresa.
Peter and Anna worked hard to provide for their children on their small farm and through example taught their children to work hard for what they wanted.
Anna would plant a huge garden to feed the family and there were always cows to milk. She became an accomplished seamstress, sewing many clothes for herself and her family.
She made graduation gowns, wedding dresses and crocheted many beautiful blankets and bedspreads. Her perogies and cabbage rolls were second to none. Most of all, Anna enjoyed spending as much time with her grandchildren as she could.
After Peter’s passing in 1993, she moved to Camrose where she enjoyed being a member of the Catholic Women’s League and having dinner with Stanley and Janice every Sunday. She also spent time visiting each of her children and often helped them make huge batches of perogies and cabbage rolls. It was always exciting times and full bellies when Grandma came to visit.
Anna also enjoyed visiting her sisters-in-law Olga in Edmonton, Grace in Salmon Arm, B.C., and her sister Frances in Ontario.
Anna is survived by her son Ray (Marg) Shott; daughter MaryAnne (Owen) Cook; daughter-in-law Janice Shott; daughter-in-law Rhonda Shott; daughter Patricia Hollenbeck; son Henry (Colleen) Shott; daughter Theresa (John) Golby; her sisters Bernice (Stan) Kozdrowski and Frances (Sister Mary Blaise); brother Bert (Marilyn) Podruzny; her 16 grandchildren Annamarie (Shane) Dalton, Susanna Shott (Francois Trudeau), Anthony Shott (Kyla Toole), Tracy (Gord) Richard, Jenifer (Evan) Ziemer, Jason Shott (Lawanda Lake), Cassandra Shott, Kristy Shott (Jamie Johnston), Amanda (Matt) Austin, Melanie (Ryan) Block, Mathew Shott (Melissa Arsenault), Jesse Shott (Katie Vandenbogaard), Tawnya and Chris Hollenbeck, Sarah Golby (Dan LeBlanc), and Ben Golby; her 19 great-grandchildren Henry, Peter and James Dalton; Xavier and Silas Trudeau; Archer Shott; Velouria, Owen and Andre Richard; Julia Ziemer; Savanah Shott; Bently Johnston-Shott; Jaxon and Ella Austin; Emily Block; Sydney, Jackson and Silvie Shott; and Bear Leblanc; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Anna was predeceased by her mother and father; husband Peter; sons Stanley and Victor Shott; son-in-law Mark Hollebeck; and brothers Frank, John and Henry.
A Funeral Liturgy will be held Fri. Feb. 9, 2024, 1 p.m. from the Burgar Memorial Chapel, 48917 – 51 Ave. Camrose, Alta. Celebrated by Father Danial Dsouza. www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com.
Burgar Funeral Home Camrose & Daysland (4817 51 Ave, Camrose, Alberta T4V 0V4) in care of arrangements. 780-672-2121.
“Dedicated service since 1906”
