Family of Ann Konkel, who died at 109, invites the entire City of Hamilton to her funeral

One of Hamilton's oldest citizens, Ann Konkel, has passed away at the age of 109.

To many in the city she's known as the woman who, during COVID-19, asked that she be sent 105 birthday cards to help her celebrate her 105th birthday in 2020 instead she received more than 2,000.

To her granddaughter, Laura Konkel, she was "larger than life."

"She loved life, loved living life," Laura told CBC Hamilton.

Laura said she remembers "the little things" andlessons taught along the way, like how Ann sang Laura's favourite song Sto Lat, a Polish birthday song.

"The most important thing that my grandmother taught me, other than family being first she taught me appreciation of history," Laura said.

In 2020, Ann had a fall and had to stay at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. She couldn't see her family because of COVID-19 restrictions for a few months. When her 105th birthday rolled around, her family celebrated it at the hospital's courtyard.

Her one wish was to receive 105 cards for her birthday. She got over 2,000.

"She's still getting [cards] from people," her daughter-in-law, Robin Konkel, told CBC Hamilton on Monday.

Ann died peacefully on Sept. 27 at St. Joseph's in Hamilton, Robin said.

She lived the 'Canadian dream'

Ann was born in 1915 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. She survived the Spanish flu at three years old and lived through World War II.

During the war, Ann met Edward Konkel, who would become her husband. They married, had their only son, Chuck, and moved to Hamilton in 1952, where she stayed for the rest of her life.

Ann worked as a high school principal in the Netherlands and cleaneddoctors' offices when she first arrived in Canada, Robin said. In her 40s, Ann decided to becomea nurse.

"She represented the Canadian dream," Robin said. "That's what the Canadian dream was [then].You could work hard and prosper."

Ann's husband died in the '90s.She lived alone in their home until she was 104.

"She was just extraordinary," Robin said. "We took her to Europe when she was 100 all the crew wanted to hug her because they thought it was good luck."

'She loved the Ticats' and the city

And Ann loved Hamilton."She loved the Ticats," Robin said, and players would often drop byAnn's birthday parties.

Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath said in a statement she was "saddened to hear" of Ann's passing.

"A remarkable woman and one of Hamilton's oldest residents," read the statement. "Throughout her 109 years, Ann touched so many lives with her wisdom, kindness, and resilience. She inspired us all during the COVID-19 pandemic, reminding us of the power of hope and perseverance."

'We were a very close family'

Ann's only son, Chuck, passed away at the age of 73 in July of this year."We were a very close family," Robin said. Laura said her dad was as an avid reader.

"He used to walk around our neighborhood with our dog and he would read a book, that's what he was known for," she said.

Chuck was passionate about his family history, Laura said, and focused his writing onstories of World War II and its"unknown soldiers."Chuck was a Toronto police officer, an author and a "remarkable" person, Robin said.

"The reason my husband was the kind of person he was was because of the mother and father that he had," she said.

Ann's visitation and funeral

The family is invitingthe public to attend to Ann's visitation and funeral.

"My biggest fear, because she's 109 everyone [she knew] is goneis that nobody would be at the church, you know, or go to see her at the funeral parlor," she said.

Ann's visitation will be on Oct. 15 from 12 to 9 p.m. at the Markey-Dermody Funeral Home at 1774 King St. East.

Her funeral will take place on Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. in the St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church at 8 Saint Ann St.