Anna Maria Louisa (Cuppens) Owens

A compassionate, loving mother and a dedicated and professional registered nurse, it is with profound sadness that we announce that Anna passed away on January 22, 2024, just days after celebrating her 77th birthday. She is survived by her husband David Wayne Owens; her sons: David (Patty) and Brian (Shauna-Lee); her daughter Ellen Hebert (Gerard); her grandchildren: Sydney, Mackenzie, Raven, Ryan, and Gavin; her godchildren:  Carter & Ella Saunders; and her brother John Cuppens. And she will be sorely missed by her closest cousin, Ineke van Loon and her husband Sasha. Anna was predeceased by her parents P. Frans and Louisa Cuppens (nee Verheijen), her brother LGen (retd) Louis Cuppens, and her sister Louisa Maclean (Murray).  She was born in Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and immigrated with her family to Canada in 1950, though always maintained deep connections and pride in her Dutch heritage, customs and traditions. She grew up in the north end of Saint John, NB on Sumerset Street, where she spent her days playing with her sister and helping her father create many of the beautiful stained-glass windows you see all around Saint John and the Maritimes.  Anna chose to enter the health care profession following graduation from St. Vincent’s High School. Attending St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, she found her passion in caring for expecting mothers, working in the Labour and Delivery unit for the majority of her career. Over a period of 30+ years, she was there for so many Saint Johners first moments. After retiring from the Saint John Regional Hospital, she returned to heath care by helping to teach the next generation of nurses, guiding Bachelor of Nursing students during their clinical phase. She brought a strong work ethic to the job, mixed with patient empathy, and a little humour along the way, to help heal those in need. She led an active life, always scheduling the next adventure and cruise to the next destination, she had a passion for travelling with David and experiencing new and exciting destinations together. Visitation will be held at Fundy Funeral Home 230 Westmorland Rd, Saint John, NB, 506-646-2424 on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. A Graveside service will be held in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Saint John on Saturday January 27, 2024 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in Anna’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.