We Remember
ANSTETT, Rebecca Lynn
August 6, 1976 — September 14, 2025
Rebecca Lynn Anstett of West Kelowna, BC, passed away on September 14, 2025 due to complications related to Multiple Sclerosis. She passed a few weeks after her 49th birthday.
Born on August 6, 1976 in Kitchener, Ontario, Rebecca was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, auntie, artist, software entrepreneur, author, professional speaker, yogini, health coach, spiritual speaker, friend, and wife. She touched the lives of many with her zany outlook on life, radiant smile, streams of laughter, warmth, creativity, curiosity, and gregarious outgoing nature. Rebecca was an amazing friend and had an uncanny ability to connect with just about anyone. She possessed a brilliant mind, disarming wit, and a compassionate heart. She had a rare gift of building community wherever she found herself.
Rebecca graduated from Resurrection Catholic Secondary School in Kitchener, Ontario, then went on to obtain a BA in Classical Studies from the University of Waterloo. Her zest for learning continued in the following years, and she proceeded to study software development, herbology, reflexology, yoga, religion and culture, and metaphysics. Rebecca worked for a number of software companies in Kitchener, Toronto, and Ottawa, Ontario before starting her own business developing websites for clients. She was known as a quirky, dynamic, fun, brilliant co-worker and team member who enjoyed many social outings with her colleagues.
Rebecca was a Distinguished Toast Master (DTM) and delivered over eighty public speeches to audiences large and small, including some which won competitions. To become a DTM, she founded several new Toastmasters clubs around Guelph, Ontario and assisted in all leadership activities, including serving as Area Governor. Rebecca was also a talented painter and, in fact, received a full scholarship to study Fine Arts at UW, which she did before switching to Classical Studies. Rebecca was also very musical, learning the organ and guitar in her adolescence and bringing her love of music with her throughout her life. Rebecca was an avid traveller and particularly loved Europe, the West Coast, Florida, and the Canadian Rockies.
In her final 12 years, Rebecca slowed down considerably, first needing a wheelchair and eventually becoming fully paralyzed, but even then she was always smiling and connecting with the people around her. During this time she wrote a book entitled “From Diapers to Diamonds”, chronicling her MS diagnosis and health decline and how, despite these circumstances, her life was still filled with joy. She also spoke on her journey for various public groups such as The Unitarian Congregation of Guelph and the MS Society. She moved with her husband Mark to West Kelowna, BC in 2014 to enjoy the beautiful nature of the Okanagan Valley and the health benefits of the low humidity environment. She lived her final 10 years at Lakeview Lodge home, where the incredible care team fell in love with her and tended to her every need through many difficult health events. During those final years, Mark was always by her side, taking her daily to their home and on innumerable outings to the lake, Peachland, downtown Kelowna, the southern Okanagan, and even Banff Alberta to ensure she enjoyed every drop of life she had left in the beauty of nature. Her family members also visited her frequently and enjoyed many drives and exploration times through the beautiful countryside.
Rebecca is survived by her mother Mary Emptage (née Geffros); father Charles Anstett; sister Kristy Campbell; brother-in-law Chris Campbell; niece Starryn Campbell; nephew CJ Campbell; stepmother Linda Knights; stepfather Norm Emptage; step siblings Heather, Laura, and Thomas Emptage; life partner Mark Vanderkam; stepson Finn; and many uncles, aunts, and cousins – all who will forever cherish her memory. Rebecca was predeceased by grandfathers Eugene Geffros and Elroy Anstett; grandmothers Catherine Geffros and Thelma Anstett; aunt Joanne and uncles Bill, John, and Jim, who are all with Rebecca now on her journey.
Rebecca’s body was cremated according to her wishes, and her ashes will be returned to Ontario to be interred beside the beautiful Lake Superior and Lake Huron, two places she particularly enjoyed in her life.
Her family will host a Celebration of Life for Rebecca at the ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, BRANCH 412 (601 WELLINGTON STREET NORTH, KITCHENER, ON) ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, 2025 FROM 1 TO 5 PM. We invite family and friends to join us in remembering and celebrating her amazing life at this event and/or by posting on her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010831330736
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to KidsAbility, 500 Hallmark Drive, Waterloo ON, N2K 3P5.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
Service
Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Location
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 412
Share with Others:
KidsAbility Link: www.kidsability.ca
Service Information
Service Details
The service for ANSTETT, Rebecca Lynn is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 412
601 Wellington Street North, Kitchener, ON
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
She was, undoubtedly, the most alive person I’ve ever known.
Vibrant, caring, smart and audacious are just a few words that describe her.
Becks had the knack for making strangers into friends with ease and making her friends feel like her best friend.
I’ve known her for 30 or 31 years. We met in the women’s washroom of a club, back when we were young. She complimented the kilt I was wearing and was enthusiastically approving when I confessed I’d nabbed it at a thrift store for under $10.
Over the years there was much dancing, socializing and drinking. I think a majority of us remember her popping over with some Baby Duck whether it was expected or not.
Once, we had a really laidback day when my son was young. Took him to the DQ on Westmount and we giggled while he tried ice cream for the first time.
After that, we took him to Waterloo park and played with him while she and I just talked.
It was a beautiful day and it is a beautiful memory..
She gave Torin a purple Devil Ducky when he was a baby & that got passed on to my youngest later on.
It was a favoured toy for both of them.
I can think of many stories and memories, but most aren’t for public consumption. (lol!)
There’s a lot of “you had to have been there…”
Becks was a bright light who touched so many people that her light will continue to shine on, so long as one of us remembers her.
Rest in peace, Rebecca. You’ve been an inspiration to me and many others.
Wonderful woman and wishing all family my sincerest condolences.
Well my lovely first-born daughter, I am sitting here thinking what to say but there is far to much. I do know that your spirit is with your Grandmas and Grandpas and other relatives who went before you. I know I told you how your Grandma Catherine comes to visit me in the form of a cardinal. From now on when I see that beautiful red bird and hear it’s joyful song, I will know that you are with her. You kept your feisty spirit right up to the end but you earned a rest. You will always be in my heart honey. We will meet again some day, Until that time, know that I will always love you from the bottom of my heart, Mom XXX
We are sorry to hear of Becky’s passing. Love & peace to her family and friends
Rest in peace dear friend. Your spirit and zest for life was so big it is hard to fathom that you are no longer with us in body but your memory will live on forever and the imprint you made on the lives lucky enough to be in your orbit. I treasure the memories I have of you, the hope we had as we tried to find our way through our MS journey to better health. We shared both laughs and tears and understanding of how precious life is and the desire to live it as fully as possible. You were a kindred spirit and will be so missed. My deepest condolences to the love of your life, your beloved Mark and to your Mom Mary and the rest of your family and loved ones.