Anne de Bock Fougere
1947 - 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Anne de Bock Fougere, who died peacefully on December 27, 2025, at the Palliative Care Centre of WRHN at Chicopee, with her daughter, Nicole Fougere, by her side.
Anne is survived by her daughter, Nicole Fougere, and her brother, Jacobus de Bock, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws. She was predeceased by her mother, Hazel de Bock (née Hogeterp); her father, Klaas de Bock; her sister, Clara Mulder; her brother, Pieter de Bock; and her sister, Rose Ford-King.
Anne adored her cats and was predeceased by her cherished companions Catsy, Juliet, Wilbur, and Redsy.
Anne was a force of nature. She believed deeply in the capacity for people to grow, change, evolve, and heal throughout their lives. She loved learning new things and viewed life’s challenges as opportunities for reflection and growth. She was continually engaged in the work of becoming more fully herself.
Health and wellness were central to Anne’s life. For many years, she practiced Tai Chi daily and swam a kilometre each day in Eddie’s pool throughout the summer. She valued mindfulness and often took quiet walks to notice the beauty of nature. Anne kept a gratitude journal for many years, faithfully writing down three gratitudes each day—many, naturally, devoted to her cats.
She was passionate about homeopathy and naturopathic medicine, which formed an important part of her wellness practices. One of the most influential figures in her life was Dr. LaPlante, a naturopath and chiropractor who inspired her lifelong commitment to daily wellness.
Anne was a deeply creative person. She was a guest columnist for the Cambridge Times and had more than 60 articles published. Her writing offered comfort in times of sorrow, invited laughter, and encouraged readers to face their fears with curiosity and humour.
“Life isn’t forever,” Anne once wrote. “If I can make a fool of myself writing a column and doing comedy improv, perhaps someone out there will feel brave enough to try something new—no matter how old or young you are.”
She later gathered many of these pieces into a published book titled Anne with an ‘E’, an anthology that reflected her wit, insight, and warmth. Some pieces were whimsical and funny; others explored family relationships or philosophical reflections. All of them expressed her deep appreciation for life in Cambridge and offered readers a unique taste of her sass, flair, and spirited nature.
Anne was also proud to have been quoted in three additional books. She appeared in Michael Posner’s Leonard Cohen, Untold Stories: The Early Years as a friend of Leonard Cohen; was quoted in Driving After the Crash by Chris Challenger; and had her work at Galt Little Theatre recognized in Peter Hunton’s In Which We Play.
A devoted lover of the arts, Anne’s home was a living gallery filled with original artwork. She gave generously of her time, volunteering extensively in the community, including at events such as the Mill Race Festival and the Art Attic Sale. She volunteered for over 20 years with Galt Little Theatre as an actor and in props and front-of-house roles. She participated in an improv comedy troupe with Kitchener-Waterloo Little Theatre, and supported numerous organizations including the Fringe Festival of Independent Dance Artists, Cambridge Libraries and Galleries, Truckfest, the City of Cambridge Cultural Advisory Committee, and Theatre in the Trees.
Beyond the arts, Anne volunteered with Community Justice Initiatives, believing deeply in restorative justice and the possibility of healing. She often said that if she helped one male offender, every woman he encountered would also be helped.
Anne also served as a Director on the Board of Crime Stoppers for the Waterloo Region, playing a significant role in the creation of the Canada-wide 1-800-222-TIPS Crime Stoppers number, a contribution that held deep personal meaning for her and continues to support community safety across the country.
In recognition of her extraordinary volunteer contributions, Anne received the Bernice Adams Special Trustee Award in 2002, honouring her multi-disciplinary impact on Cambridge’s cultural and community life.
Professionally, Anne worked for many years as an administrative clerk at the University of Guelph, where she loved the optimism and energy of the students, which seemed to mirror her own.
Anne practiced Tibetan Buddhism, and meditation and mindfulness were central to her spiritual life. She was given the name Karma Yeshe Lhamo, meaning Wisdom Goddess in Action, by a Tibetan lama, a name she embodied through her compassion, vitality, and lifelong inner inquiry.
Anne suggested that those who loved her might choose a Christmas ornament—perhaps shaped like a cat—to hang each year in remembrance of the good times shared with her.
In one of her columns, Anne wrote:
“I feel lucky to have such wonderful memories. This holiday time, my wish for everyone is to treasure their memories with joy.”
She will be deeply missed.
A Memorial will be held online by zoom on Sunday January 18th at 10am EST.
Community will be invited to shared brief memories and reflections at this memorial.
Zoom Link for the Memorial: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89590099798?pwd=F3uv3gv4REDH3Q74FnOd3y3KyERxch.1