Obituaries
Anne Olivine Trarback
June 14, 1936 - November 27, 2025
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Obituary For Anne Olivine Trarback
~ A life filled with love, music, and family ~
Anne Olivine Arbuckle was born on June 14, 1936, in North Vancouver, BC. The daughter of Charlotte May and James Marshel Arbuckle, she spent her childhood surrounded by family and music, learning values that would help form the resilient and capable woman she became.
On July 14, 1947, her family moved to Calgary, AB, where Anne continued her schooling while also learning to play the fiddle. In 1954, she moved to Grande Prairie, AB, where she would remain for the majority of her life, aside from her many camping excursions throughout western Canada.
In a small cafe on the outskirts of Grande Prairie, Anne met Donald Trarback, the love of her life. They were married on April 22, 1955, remaining in Grande Prairie for 12 years before homesteading the family farm in Grovedale, AB, in 1967. Throughout their years together, they welcomed many children and created warm memories. Together, they had three girls: Diane, Laurie, and Janice; Gordon; the two little boys: Kenneth and Robert; and Jean.
Family was Anne’s greatest joy in life. As a mother of seven, grandmother of eighteen, and great-grandmother of thirty-eight, her love stretched across many generations, felt by her family in both her words and actions.
When her children reached school age, Anne began driving a school bus in Grovedale. A practical decision at first, bus driving soon became a meaningful career that spanned twenty-five years. She is remembered for her patience, her humour, and the warmth she brought to even the coldest Alberta mornings.
In 1975, Anne helped establish The Lamplighters Band. It had a modest beginning before it grew into a beloved community institution. The Lamplighters Band became the house band for the Golden Age Centre and other nursing homes within Grande Prairie. For more than thirty-five years, they played – lifting spirits, sparking memories, and bringing comfort through music. Anne’s gift was not just in the notes she played, but in the joy she shared.
On November 27, 2025, Anne passed away at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, at the age of 89 years. Her life was a rich one: simple, grounded, and beautiful. She believed in family, hard work, dedication, and the beauty of music. Her legacy can be felt every time someone recalls her laugh, hums one of her songs, or gathers around a family table with the ones she loved most.
Anne is lovingly remembered by her children: Diane, Laurie (Stewart), Janice (Rod), Gordon (Diana), Ken (Trish), Robert (Laurie), and Jean (Rod); her eighteen grandchildren and their partners; her thirty-eight great-grandchildren; and her extended family and many friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Charlotte May and James Marshel Arbuckle; her beloved husband, Donald Trarback; and her son-in-law, Bruce Stevenson. Those who knew her will remember her gentle strength, her generosity, and the melody she carried throughout her life.
Anne’s funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Church in Grande Prairie (10206 100 Ave). Following the service, friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon. A private burial will be held later that day.
In honour of Anne, memorial donations may be made to the Grande Prairie Cancer Centre (c/o GPRH Foundation - 11205 110 St, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 4B1) or to a charity of one’s choice.
Her song lives on.
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