AUTIO, Annaliis

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Our beloved Annaliis Marie Autio, 32 years, of Kelowna, BC, passed away peacefully with family at her side on February 17, 2020. She is survived by her brother Stefan Autio and parents Will and Karen Autio, aunt Kathy (Pierre) Pelletier, uncle Max (Tara) Autio, uncle Alex (Marlene) Autio, and cousins Kellie (Chris) Wrigley, Krista Pelletier, Kory Pelletier, Austin Pelletier, Kelly (Cody) Penner, David Autio, and Liam, Haley, and Chase Wrigley.

Annaliis was born at Grace Hospital (now BC Women’s Hospital), in Vancouver, and immediately moved to BC Children’s Hospital (BCCH) next door. Her first couple of years were split between her home in Vancouver and BCCH. From age 2 to 9 she lived in Abbotsford, with the odd stay at BCCH. From age 9 until present she lived in Kelowna with a few stays at BCCH, from which she graduated at age 19.

After that she rarely had an overnight stay at a hospital. During her school years she was included in the local schools with the help of a Certified Educational Assistant (several of them through the years). Special mention must be made of her wonderful Physiotherapist–Occupational Therapist Karol Elliott. She worked with Annaliis many times over the years to ensure that her wheelchair fit and worked correctly, as well as other equipment. Karol introduced a TrailRider to the school district which made it possible for Annaliis to join in wilderness class activities. During middle school and high school, she benefited from excellent direction provided by Resource teacher Garth Vickers. Highlights were going with her Resource class to Operation Trackshoes in Victoria several times and having a work experience at Kid’s Corner Daycare. Annaliis attended four years of Adult Special Education courses at Okanagan College, proudly participating in two convocations, in 2009 and 2011.

During this time, she lived at home until she was 22, when with the help of Community Living BC she was able to move into a group home. She enjoyed some of the additional freedom that provided and especially the interaction with more people. Two years later she moved into a Home Share with a roommate and caregivers Dino and Delia da Costa and their dog Angel, all of whom she loved dearly. When the da Costas retired, Cameron and Myrne Koronko purchased their house and took over caring for the two young women who had been living with the da Costas. Annaliis quickly grew to love the Koronkos and the girls (their adult daughters) and the boys (their grandsons).

Annaliis had a weekly schedule of activities at Pathways and Sunshine Farm where she enjoyed the people, programs, and laughs (there are still seeds stuck in her wheelchair!). She loved attending church with her caregivers on Saturdays and with her family on Sundays where she delighted in serving as a greeter. Other things she enjoyed doing over the years were Special Olympics 5-pin Bowling, boccia, swimming, therapeutic riding, wheelchair basketball, adaptive skiing, riding a hand-propelled tricycle, and cheering at Rockets games. For several years she was involved in Cool Arts (art opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities), with her artwork included in an exhibition at the Kelowna Art Gallery. After participating in Girl Guides for many years, Annaliis was so proud of earning her Canada Cord. Oh, what crazy fun she had at summer camp at Easter Seals Camp Squamish when she lived in Abbotsford, and then at Camp Winfield after moving to Kelowna, and at Camp Freedom in Alberta. She enjoyed corresponding with her World Vision sponsor children Awa in Mali and Neema in Tanzania. Annaliis was the biggest promoter of her mother’s children’s books, making sure she never ran out of her bookmarks to give away.

If you asked Annaliis where she most wanted to travel, her first choice was to Nipigon, ON, to visit her young cousins whom she adored, and second choice was Disneyland, which she visited three times—with her family thanks to Sunshine Dreams for Kids and again on their one-day Dreamlift, and then with the Pathways Travel Club in 2018.

God created beauty in Annaliis—her generous, affectionate, laugh-at-the-drop-of-anything personality. It showed up in her desire to help, her joyous smile, her artistic ability and freedom in creating art, and her acceptance of everyone.

In December 2019, Annaliis experienced a brain stem injury which kept her in hospital for many, many weeks, working hard to recover. She remained true to her sweet, loving, helpful self throughout that incredibly hard journey. With her deep love for Jesus and faith in His promises, she felt peace knowing she would soon be running to give Him a hug.

Thank you for the exceptional care of Annaliis by her GP, Dr. Ronnald Schriemer, and at Kelowna General Hospital by all of the staff, including Respiratory Therapists, Radiology staff, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Pathologists, Housekeeping staff, doctors, especially intensivists Dr. Vic Chaubey and Dr. Ben Wierstra, and numerous nurses, in particular, Michelle, Vicki, and Karen, who made her last days in ICU as comfortable as possible.

A Celebration of Life for Annaliis Autio will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Mission Creek Alliance Church, Kelowna, with Pastor Keith Whitaker officiating. Her favourite colours were yellow and purple, so feel free to wear either or both.

Annaliis requested that memorial donations be made to B.C. Children’s Hospital, www.bcchildrens.ca.

“Walk into the sunlight so bright
Illumination blocking out the night
She knows that the promises are airtight
There is no doubt you can see it in her eyes
You’ll hear her singing to heaven
Even without letting out a word to be heard
In every single situation, none too big, none too small
She looks up and the world looks on

She sings hallelujah
When all has become nothing
And her hope in the Savior has colored all she does
And taints the way she loves
She sings Hallelujah and falls to the ground again
With hands stretched up to the sky
She is waiting for the day, she’ll hear the Father say …

‘Well done, good and faithful one
Enter in, come on share with me
Welcome home, good and faithful one
It’s on and on to eternity’”

Excerpts from “Hallelujah” by Brett Rutledge and Phil Joel.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Service Details

The service for AUTIO, Annaliis is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2020, at 2:00 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:

Mission Creek Alliance Church

2091 Springfield Rd Kelowna, BC

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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Funeral Pointers: