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As a girl, she knew Robert Cuthbert, who would one day be her husband. She recalls their bicycle rides through the green and beautiful Irish country side. In championship competition, Robert won many cups and trophies for bicycle racing.
In 1909, Anna came to Philadelphia to visit with friends and relatives. Then in 1912 she traveled to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan where she married Robert who had been working in Canada on the Hudson's Bay Railway and the Winnipeg Police Force. They settled at Aneroid, Saskatchewan, giving the name Erinlea to their homestead. The trip was made with oxen and wagon. At night the couple slept beside the wagon, or under it if it rained. In a modest house on that Erinlea homestead, the five Cuthbert children were born - Roland, Peggy, Alf, Roy and Betty. In 1929 they left that farm and moved to a larger one at Plato. But, these were the years of drought and depression and the Cuthbert family, like so many others began to look north to the Peace River Country. In 1931, Mr. Cuthbert staked a homestead in the west Cecil Lake district of Northern British Columbia with plans afoot for a railway through this area joining Fort St. John, BC and Hines Creek, AB. This would be a good place for a farm. The railway never came but Mr. Cuthbert and the oldest son, Roland, returned the following year to make a start on this new farm In the late fall, the whole family moved north, They came by road to Dawson Creek, the rest of the way by truck and sleigh. The truck didn't quite make it over the muddy roads and was left behind.
The family spent the first long winter in a bachelor's one room log cabin. With two adults and five children aged six to sixteen, there was no excess space. At night the blankets were unrolled and laid on the floor and in the morning, had to be rolled up again. This provided sleeping room for the children.
The Nor'Pioneer Institute was established in 1933 and was the first one in the North Peace. Anna was a charter member. She remained an active member for many years and was made a life member in recognition of her service.
Always cheerful, courageous and unselfish, Anna worked tirelessly for her family, for her farm, and for her fledgling community. Her homecrafts included quilts and afghans. In later years, she took up painting. When asked if her pioneering days were not hard years, Anna Cuthbert replied, "Yes, but they were worthwhile ones."
Anna passed away at Ladner, BC in 1979. She was predeceased by her husband in 1971.
