Ann (Riley) Hamilton was born on early 20th century prairies, and a child of the Depression years. She was born in 1928 having the same April 1st birthday as her Father. She attended “Green Bluff” school in her early years, a one room country school in the Strathclair, MB area. Her parents farmed in this area, and she and her brothers walked several miles to school.

After high school Ann took teacher training and this became her professional career as she taught in Manitoba, Scotland and Ontario. She met her husband, Stan Hamilton, in Scotland while she was over there learning her trade in the Scottish school system. Stan was a travelling salesman for the tobacco companies and also a musician playing Scottish country dance music. Presumably this is when Ann began her life long association with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.

Ann married Stan in Dauphin, Manitoba and they moved to Canada. Stan found work at Westinghouse in London and then at Richardson’s in Toronto. Ann continued her career in teaching. Stan continued with his music and formed his own band that gained a following with country dance lovers across Canada and in the US, Britain and as far afield as Australia. The music and the band allowed Ann and Stan to travel widely for a number of years and made them many acquaintances in Canada and abroad. In the early 1970’s they moved to Orangeville, Ontario where they lived for over forty years and this became their permanent home with Ann teaching and Stan independently pursuing his music while working at deHavilland in Malton.

As well as their careers and the Scottish Country Dancing they were involved in a variety of activities and organizations including the Legion. Ann was also very involved with the Anglican Church.

After Stan’s passing in 2007, Ann eventually moved into Avalon Retirement Lodge in Orangeville until her recent passing. Although impeded by a number of health issues, she always had a lifetime of good memories to talk about. And what interesting stories she had to tell.

Ann was the last surviving member of her family of origin, being predeceased by her parents Walter and Emily, and her brothers Hereward and Anthony. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews of both her and her late husband’s families. Those who are left will always remember how Ann invariably had time for some kind words and good deeds for so many along her way.