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AURORA ANDERSON
Aurora Marie Anderson was born May 28, 1925 in rural Saskatchewan as one of 14 children to Anna and Elie Robert. She recalled having to grow up fast because even at a young age she helped care for her siblings.
When she was able, Aurora joined the Armed Forces and enjoyed the opportunity to travel to several posts throughout Canada before ending up in Brandon working at the military hospital. That’s where she met William Howard Anderson. Though it was love at first sight for him, the feeling definitely wasn’t reciprocated. His ginger hair, mischievous charm and persistence finally wore her down and they were married on February 15, 1946.
After retiring from the military, Aurora and Howard set up in the south end of Brandon and raised eight children - four boys and four girls - no easy feat in a small wartime house with only one bathroom. The Anderson household was always bustling with neighbourhood friends. Aurora was well-known for her baking, and kids would sneak into the house to fill up on what they could before being kicked back outside.
Aurora worked at Fairview Personal Care Home in the kitchen, sewed and babysat over the years. The family liked to go camping and participate in local sports as the kids grew up. She particularly enjoyed bowling and swimming, activities she continued well into her later years.
Aurora and Howard were long-time members of the Legion and A.N.A.F. and had many friends they spent time with. The weekly meat draws at the club were a highlight for them, and they always welcomed anyone who wanted to join.
A true matriarch, Aurora’s focus was always her family. Holidays meant everyone gathering in the home, even though eating had to happen in shifts and family members were scattered throughout the entire house. Family picnics were held annually at Dinsdale Park or in the backyard, and anniversaries and birthdays were celebrated in a big way - sometimes with a beer. Aurora had a unique talent for remembering everyone’s birthday - even with eight children and 17 grandchildren.
She was actively involved with her grandchildren as much as she could be, and each grandchild and great-grandchild felt extra special when they got to spend time at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. There was always baking in the freezer, a garden to tend to, homemade playdough to construct masterpieces with, and a deck of cards close by. Aurora patiently played Go Fish and War for hours. Then, when the kids got old enough, they learned Rummy and Rummoli…and Aurora played to win. She loved taking her grandchildren to the winter fair, to the Sportsplex and Keystone pools, and miniature golfing. It was rare that she didn’t get a hole-in-one. Her family was her life, and she was so proud to show them off any chance she had, which was evident by all of the photos in her home.
Aurora’s love for travel never waned, though oddly enough she never learned to drive. Some of her adventure highlights included an Alaskan cruise and a trip to Denmark when her son Rob was working abroad with his family. Within Canada, she worked her way to each coast and back. Her trip souvenirs were displayed around the home with pride.
When Howard passed away in 2000, Aurora was heartbroken but knew there was still so much life to life. She moved into Victoria Landing in 2013 and participated in bingo, aerobics and lots of other social events, outliving many of the friends she made there. She often bragged about how much she was still doing, always had a spicy and fun-loving personality, coloured bright streaks into her hair, lived independently and remained very active until the very beginning of 2025. Not even a hip replacement at age 95 was enough to slow her down. Her weekly outings with son Gordon and his wife Alvina could not, and would not, be missed. -30 degree weather couldn’t hold a candle to A&W onion rings and root beer. She strategically planned her quiet time around outings with her family to make sure she was well rested when it was time to head out.
Aurora moved to Fairview Personal Care Home in April, 2025 where she was cared for with grace and dignity. She celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by loved ones, a tremendous achievement. On October 11, Aurora passed away peacefully with family by her side, exactly as she always wanted.
She was predeceased by her husband Howard, daughter Lynn, son-in-law Frank, grandson Aaron, sister-in-law Helen, brother-in-law Don, her parents, her siblings and their spouses.
She will be fondly remembered by her children Gordon (Alvina), Robert, Susan (Dave), Joan, Kelly, Larry and Karen; 17 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren (with one more on the way); several nieces, nephews and cousins; numerous honorary grandchildren, and many friends.
A celebration of Aurora’s life will be held on Monday, October 27, 2025 at the Royal Canadian Legion, Brandon Branch #3, 560 13th Street E., starting at 12:00 p.m.
A private graveside service for family will be held prior to the fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society or the Royal Canadian Legion, Brandon Branch #3.
As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 18, 2025