Mom was born at Shaunavon, April 12th, 19030, the only child of Ace and Maxine Livingstone. She grew up on the farm 12 miles northwest of town. Her mom, the teacher at Mine Valley School south of Dollard, taught her to Grade 9. They stayed mostly in the teacherage as it was too far to return daily to the farm. Mom completed high school in Shaunavon staying with her grandma. She became a teacher herself after one year at Normal School in Moose Jaw and taught one year at Red School south of Mortlach. She decided life was more exciting in Moose Jaw than room and boarding in the country and worked at several jobs there, retiring in 1986 after 27 years at Dr. McIntyres’ medical office.
Mom and my dad, Raymond, shared a life of love and devotion for more than 72 years of marriage until his passing, November 22, 2022. They had one child, Bob. They had a life of happiness and generally good health, both living to age 94.
Mom greatly loved her parents and summer vacations were mostly spent at the farm to help with harvest. Dad was the oldest of fourteen children of Frank and Emma Blatchford of Moose Jaw and many visits, meals, gatherings, phone calls and vacations into Alberta, B.C. and Ontario were exchanged with Moms’ extended family and her aunt and cousins in Saskatoon.
Mom liked doing and making things – crocheting, petite point pictures, ceramics, leather tooling, Genealogy Society meetings and research, and games on a computer. She shared with Dad tending flowers and harvesting a large garden, rhubarb, and fruit trees, baking and canning jams, jellies, and preserves.
The folks were retired for 35 years. Pretty much every day included an outing for afternoon snacks, lunches, and suppers, often in Regina and area towns. Mom played cards at Moose Jaw and District Seniors five days a week and helped with weekend tournaments while Dad played a few times a week.
Mom experienced significant memory loss in recent years but thankfully remained coherent and articulate in the moment. Combined with mobility challenges she stayed five months in Moose Jaw Special Care Home and five months in Providence Place where she passed away naturally and peacefully holding my hand April 24, 2024. Sincere thanks to everyone that cared for her and visited.
A service is not being planned.
