Courtesy of the Globe and Mail, Obituary

We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our dear and beloved wife and mother, Professor Dr. Anne Maria Reet Agur (née Vilde) on January 26, 2026 due to complications arising from her struggles with a rare cancer spanning over two and half years. This, after one of our largest snowstorms in years at Toronto General Hospital. She was born on November 10, 1953 in Toronto. She was predeceased by her parents, Raimond and Valentina Vilde (née Kärner). She is remembered by her husband of 49 years Enno, children Erik, Amy and Kristina, brother Peter (Sandy) and nephews and niece Robyn, Tomas and Serena as well as brothers-in law Arno (Tiiu), Peter (Tiina), and many nephews and nieces and several cousins, relatives and friends in Canada and Estonia. She was loved by all. Anne grew up on Castlefield Avenue in Toronto, attending Allenby PS later Glenview SPS and then North Toronto CI. At North Toronto, she was a top student and participated in many sports as well as the music program. Even though she was musically challenged, she played the cello in the NTCI orchestra under Mr. Ford. She also finished Grade 8 piano. Her future passion was medicine. At University of Toronto, after her first years in Arts and Science, she graduated with a BSc in Occupational Therapy. During her last years in OT, Anne was mentored by her favourite professor, Miss Rita Harland, who convinced her to pursue studies in Anatomy. Anne completed her Masters in Anatomy under the direction of Dr. Ian Taylor in 1978. Anne and Enno met at an Estonian Scout and Guide Jamboree is in Germany in July 1970, They dated for years, Enno in Waterloo Engineering and Anne in Toronto, and they married on January 15, 1977. That day 49 years ago also experienced another major snowstorm in Toronto. Their short honeymoon in Quebec City was equally cold. But their love was mutual and very warm. After graduation in 1978, she was hired on as an instructor in the Department of Anatomy at U of T, and later became an Assistant Professor and Associate Professor. In 2001, she defended her PhD thesis “Architecture of the Human Soleus Muscle: 3-D Computer Modelling of Cadaveric Muscle and Ultrasonographic Documentation In Vivo”. Following this, she was soon promoted to Full and Tenured Professor with a primary appointment in the Division of Anatomy, Department of Surgery. She subsequently garnered cross appointments and affiliations with multiple other departments and institutes, including the School of Graduate Studies at U of T, the Institute of Medical Science, the Wilson Centre, the Rehabilitation Sciences sector at Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and the Division of Biomedical Communications – Institute of Communications and Culture at the University of Toronto at Mississauga. Anne retired on June 30, 2025 with over 46 years of service, and at which time Professor Emeritus status was conferred upon her. Thereafter she developed a dynamic lab focusing on high-fidelity anatomy visualization. Her work is recognized worldwide. She always kept a low profile, allowing her work to speak for itself. That said, she touched so many students in her lab from high school coop students to Masters and PhD students. Even NTCI coop students would remember her advice decades later. Her impact as a teacher was immense and broad, especially from the beehive of students in her lab to the many who graduated to proceed to medical careers with her help. Her contribution to the world of medicine is second to none. She was larger than life by the words of many in the profession. Her knowledge of human anatomy was infinite. But further, she was a revered and loved teacher and mentor to hundreds, maybe even thousands of students in the medical field. In her later years, she worked with many medical residents who appreciated her passion and depth of knowledge in anatomy. Under the mentorship of Dr. Keith Moore, Anne became the editor and later co-editor of Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy, 9th through 16th edition starting in 1991, later collaborating with Dr. Art Dalley (Vanderbilt University). Their collaboration continued through various textbooks. Her latest challenge was her work with Dr. Carol Scott-Conner on a chapter in the Fischer’s Mastery of Surgery (8th Edition). This undertaking provided her with a new challenge exploring the surgical field. As a long-time active participant in the American Association of Clinical Anatomists (AACA), she regularly attended and presented at annual conferences, most often with a roster of students. A tribute from AACA to her legacy is most fitting: “AACA mourns the passing of Dr. Anne Agur, who died on January 26, 2026. A distinguished anatomist and longtime Professor at the University of Toronto, Dr. Agur was a pillar of the anatomy community. Dr. Agur devoted more than 40 years to the study and teaching of anatomy, contributing extensively to clinically applied musculoskeletal research and anatomical education. Within the AACA, she served as President from 2011–2013, played major roles on the Executive Committee and Council, and was CoEditor of Clinical Anatomy from 2003–2009. She also hosted the AACA’s 2008 annual meeting in Toronto. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to anatomical science, mentorship, and global education, Dr. Agur was named the AACA’s 2018 Honored Member, one of the association’s most prestigious distinctions. Respected internationally for her scholarship and leadership, Dr. Agur’s legacy within the AACA is enduring – defined by her commitment to excellence, her generous mentorship, and her unwavering dedication to advancing the field of clinical anatomy. She will be deeply missed by colleagues, students, and the entire AACA community.” Outside of work and family, Anne was a major contributor to Toronto Estonian society. As a youngster she was a Girl Guide leader and later became Treasurer of the Toronto Estonian Scouts Sponsors’ Association. For over a decade, she has been serving as a Member of the Board of Directors of Tartu College (Toronto) and Estonian Museum Canada. Anne loved flowers, both in the garden and indoors … they could be found in every room to add colour and life to their home. Every spring, Anne and Enno would visit garden centres to find spring flowers. Geraniums and begonias were the annual additions to a vibrant perennial garden that brought colour and joy to frequent summer gatherings in the backyard. She will be deeply missed by her husband, family and friends … in our hearts forever and never forgotten. May she rest in peace. The family would like to extend an appreciation to Dr. Kelvin Chan at Sunnybrook and Drs. Silverman and Dragoi at Toronto General and the wonderful nursing staffs at both hospitals. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, March 18th at Trinity St. Paul’s Cathedral, 427 Bloor Street West, Toronto, just west of Spadina Avenue. Visitation at 11:00 am and service at 12:00 noon. With reception following at the Latvian Canadian Cultural Centre, Riga Hall, 4 Credit Union Drive, Toronto (Eglinton Avenue East, just east of DVP). All information about the service can be found on the website of Humphrey Funeral

Home www.humphreymiles.com. 

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to one of the following or to a Charity of Your Choice: Estonian Scouts and Guides in Canada, Estonian Foundation of Canada, Estonian Arts Centre/KESKUS or to Yonge Street Mission. 

Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com 

https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/theglobeandmail/name/anne-agur-obituary?id=60905452