Anne Nawton (nee Jones)

Anne Nawton passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, September 1, 2025, at the age of 82, after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, Anne's first language was Welsh, which she cherished throughout her life. After moving to Calgary, the Calgary Welsh Society became her main source for staying connected to her Welsh roots. Gifted with both musical and linguistic talents, she mastered English as a second language, followed by French, German, and a smattering of Russian. Though she became a Canadian citizen in 1983, she would always proudly declare that she was Welsh.

From childhood, Anne loved medicine and had wanted to become a doctor, but her inability to stand the sight of blood led her to channel her passion for learning into music and teaching instead. During her early career as a violinist, she traveled extensively throughout Europe—including a memorable passage through Checkpoint Charlie at the height of the Cold War—and taught at a Quaker school, experiences she treasured and spoke of throughout her life.

Anne married Peter John Nawton in 1970, settling initially in Wrexham, Wales, where their son David was born in 1971. Peter's work with Rolls Royce on the Harrier Jump jet took the family to North Carolina before they returned to England and ultimately immigrated to Canada in 1977. After a year in Sidney on Vancouver Island, Peter's career brought them to Calgary, where they lived for eight years before moving to Cochrane for seven years.

Throughout her life in Canada, Anne was a devoted music teacher who touched countless lives through her instruction. In addition to teaching in schools, she welcomed hundreds of students into her home for piano and violin lessons—these students were always an incredible source of pride for her. For over 40 years, she was also a dedicated member of the Calgary Civic Symphony, where she found deep joy in making music alongside lifelong friends. Leaving the symphony when she could no longer play was one of her most difficult decisions.

Following Peter's death in 1992, Anne moved back to Calgary from Cochrane and found purpose volunteering with the Calgary Widows group. There she met Kenneth Paul, who became the second love of her life. Ken and Anne built a wonderful life together, traveling and creating new memories. In 2012, they relocated to Airdrie to be closer to David and his wife Janette, where they remained until Ken's death in 2013. After Ken's passing, Anne found invaluable support and friendship in Jill Schulz, who remained by her side through her final years.

Anne's lifelong fascination with medicine never waned—she remained an avid reader of medical journals and a devoted fan of medical dramas on television. She equally loved Murdoch Mysteries, word searches, and crossword puzzles. Above all, those who knew Anne remember her wonderful sense of humor, which remained with her even through difficult times.

Anne spent her final years at Newport Harbor Seniors Community in Calgary. She was predeceased by her husband, Peter (1992); her partner, Kenneth Paul (2013); and her parents, Evan (1976) and Rachel (1988). She is survived by her son, David; daughter-in-law, Janette; and her brother, Phil Jones.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada,

https://alzheimersocietyinmemoriam.crowdchange.ca/page/annenawton

The family asks that those who knew Anne honor her memory by attending a concert and allowing the music to transport them, just as it did for her throughout her remarkable life.