Dr. Anita SLEEMAN

SLEEMAN, Dr. Anita (nee Andres) It is with deep sadness that the family of Anita Andres Sleeman announces her peaceful passing early in the morning of October 18, 2011 at her home in North Vancouver. The uniquely creative Anita was born December 12, 1930 in San Jose California to Alejandro Andres from Salamanca Spain and Anita Dolgoff from Stavropol, Russia. Her exceptional musical abilities were evident as early as age three and she began to compose at age eight. She attended Placer College as a music student where she met her future husband, Evan Sleeman, in 1948. They married in 1951 and purchased a ranch in Nevada along with Evan's parents, Lou and Alice Sleeman. There they had six children and immigrated to Canada in 1963, where they lived on a remote Chilcotin ranch. They relocated to the Vancouver area in 1967. Anita resumed her studies at UBC earning a BMus in 1971 and MMus (on graduate fellowship) in 1974. She was co-founder of the Delta Youth Orchestra and was involved in the establishment of the music program at Capilano College in North Vancouver as a member of its Music Faculty. She returned to California to complete her doctorate at the University of Southern California (1982) while also attending the famous Dick Grove School of Jazz. For 17 years she acted as musical director and conductor of West Vancouver's Ambleside Orchestra, retiring in 2010. Anita's compositions have been premiered in London, England and Fiuggi, Italy as well as in Ottawa, Winsor and Vancouver; commissions include CBC Radio, Vancouver Community College, the Delta Youth Orchestra, the Galiano Trio, and others. Anita was also a pilot, avid knitter and seamstress, builder of dollhouses, and gracious host. She had an offbeat sense of humour and loved to write satirical limericks. She was the mentor and friend of many. She is survived by her loving husband, Evan, and their children: Grant Sleeman, Kevin Sleeman (Nancy), Julie Andres, Cindy Sleeman (Chris Ingram), Kathy Kyler, and Bryan Sleeman (Irene Blazich); grandchildren Yukon Sleeman (Ashli Nonis), Mieke Bray (Vigeland Rubin), Jesse Bray (Kristen Sperle), Sarah Mey (Donovan), Graham Cunliffe (Samantha), Nico Sleeman (Kevin Page), Sunny Sleeman, Kelcie Walther, Alex (Jenna), Evan, and Nichi Pluschke, and Lily Blazich; and great-grandchildren Baeden, Tyler, Kiayra, Braeden, Cedar, and Tait; and her sister, Alma Drown and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by twin great-granddaughters Calan and Kiana. Other members of the extended family include: Jock, Joanne, Jordan, and Jamie Bray and Bradley, Sarah, Gabriel, and Adara Shende. The family would like to thank: Dr. Colin Horricks and Grace, Drs. Buller, Virani, Werb, Cook, and Bennett, Nola Wurtele NP, the doctors and staff at VGH and Lions Gate Cardiac Units, friends Hilary Clark and David Boddington. A service in Dr. Anita Sleeman's memory will be held on November 26, 2 pm at St. Christopher's Anglican Church, 1068 Inglewood Ave., West Vancouver. In lieu of flowers donations in her name to the Variety Club are welcome ( www.variety.bc.ca ).