Anne Bachinski - In Memoriam
Anne Bachinski-Bradford, B.A. (Hon), FCMC
1949 - 2014
Anne Bachinski-Bradford passed away at home in the arms of her husband John-Peter Bradford on May 13, 2014. She died with dignity and on her own terms, after almost 16 months of care by John-Peter, her dear friends and healthcare professionals. Annie was 64, and had lung cancer despite never smoking and a life-long healthy, athletic lifestyle. She is survived by John-Peter, daughter Sarah, son Matthew, step-son Kas, son-in-law Patrick, grandchildren Oscar, Stella and Felix, brothers John and Bill, sisters-in-law Gay, Gail, Cheryl and Barbara, and brothers-in-law Michael and Frank.
Annie was a beautiful spirit, a complex, lovely lady who was widely loved. Known for her gentleness, kindness, intelligence, calm energy and easy laugh, she embodied love in action. She excelled at everything she did, from volunteer work to management consulting to cancer coaching to being a mother, grandmother and wife.
The eldest child of Stanley and Mildred Slinger (both deceased), Annie lived the first forty years of her life in Guelph. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hon.), with a studio art speciality, from the University of Guelph. She married Walter Bachinski, and stayed at home for ten years to raise her children and support Walter in his work, while sculpting, potting, weaving, quilting, knitting and drawing on the side.
In early 1991, she met and fell in love with John-Peter Bradford. They married and lived very happily in Ottawa, where Annie and John-Peter founded their successful home-based consulting company, Bradford Bachinski Limited, and where Annie created spectacular, sculpted gardens. They travelled widely in Europe, Russia, India, Asia and the Americas.
Annie went to work in her mid-thirties by taking an entry level position at Employment and Immigration Canada. She quickly rose through the ranks. Once in Ottawa, she left the public service and earned a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation, became the President of the Institute of Certified Management Consultants of Ontario and was awarded the FCMC designation, the profession’s highest honour. Annie was co-lead advisor in the historic infrastructure renewals of the House of Commons of Canada, Supreme Court of Canada, the Immigration Refugee Board and many others. As an advisor, she helped senior management and boards lead change and restructuring strategies.
As management coach/mentor, Anne helped senior managers become better at their jobs and lead by example. As a coach/counsellor she specialized in helping people deal with serious issues like cancer, job loss, victimization and poor work performance.
She was the Managing Partner of her own company, and its Chief Compliance Officer when it became an Exempt Market Dealer, registered with the Ontario Securities Commission. She served clients in the private sector in various roles from interim Chief Operating Officer to advisor.
After caring for John-Peter when he had cancer, she decided to help others with cancer and their caregivers. She worked at the Maplesoft Centre of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation as a cancer coach and advised the foundation on program and policy matters.She received various certifications in the field, the gratitude of many people she helped and the respect of healthcare professionals. "Annie's Garden" at the Maplesoft Centre is named in her honour.
As a volunteer, Annie co-founded a group that runs a number of successful programs for marginalized people, one of which feeds more than 100 people per week in a “family dinner” atmosphere. For 11 years, she managed this 70+ volunteer effort, plus cooked and served the dinners once a month for 11 years. She also served on the Board of Directors of Ottawa Council for the Arts.
When Annie learned that she had incurable cancer, her first response was to fight — to get the best life possible out of what she had left. And, fight she did — with stoic tenacity, poise, gratitude and courage. Despite suffering sometimes terrible pain and side effects from treatment, Annie described life during her illness as “simple and happy”. She also rediscovered her love of knitting making more than 23 beautiful scarves for those she loved.
Annie will be especially missed by her loving husband John-Peter, who dedicated his life to her care. He nursed her, advocated for her, shared life with her, and always loved her deeply.
She will be greatly missed by her dear friends, too numerous to mention by name, who provided wonderful support and companionship for her from near and afar.
Annie, you were taken from us too soon. We love you, and thank you for loving us.