The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Mabel Catherine Thurstan (nee Stevenson) of Creighton passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 4, 2005 at the Flin Flon General Hospital at the age of 83 years. Mabel was born in Whitewood, SK, to Armstrong and Elizabeth Stevenson on February 6, 1922. After achieving her Grade 12 she attended Teachers College in Regina. During her lifetime she resided in Whitewood, Regina and Creighton. On June 20, 1950 she married Herbert Daniel Thurstan. She was employed as a telephone operator, teacher and sales clerk. She enjoyed knitting, curling, gardening, fishing and babysitting her grandchildren and was a member of St. Peter/St. James Anglican Church and Circle C. Mabel was predeceased by her mother and father, sister Verna, brothers Donnie and Beverley, granddaughter Amber, and great granddaughter Arianna. She is survived by her husband Herb; daughters Marlene (Doug) McDermott; Cheryl (Spencer) Golding; Margaret (John) Hinks; Eileen (Grant) Jackson and Barb (Derald) Groff; grandchildren Farrah Simon (Neil), Lisa Nundy (Shannon), Kathy Nesbitt (Barret), Rob Hinks, Tania Moore (John), Rick Jackson (Jenn) , Dustin Jackson, Danielle Jackson (Ryan), Amy Groff; great grandchildren McKenna, Owen, Dylan, and Samuel; brothers Jim and Tom; and sisters Margaret and Elva. Funeral services for Mabel Thurstan were held Saturday, October 8, 2005 from St. Peter & St. James Anglican Church, with the Reverend Raymond Knight officiating. The St. Peter/St. James Choir was accompanied by organist Mark Kolt. Honourary pallbearers were all of Mabel's friends and family. Irma Fardoe was the memorial register attendant. Following the service, the Circle C Ladies served a lunch at the St. Peter/St. James Anglican Church hall. A remembrance of Mabel was done by son-in-law Derald Groff. We are here today to say goodbye and give our thanks for all the time we had with Mom. Her main purpose in life was to be a good wife and mother and she certainly excelled at both. Mom was a straight forward, speak her mind kind of woman. There were times when we didn't see this as a virtue - we would rather not be reminded when we went wrong - but you always knew where you stood with Mom. For all the heartache and trials we dished out we always knew she'd be there for us - she could no more forsake us than she could herself. Mom was a worker. Her laundry was on the line before the family was up. She was Dad's right hand man. He would rely on her to mix cement or hold a board correctly before he'd trust others. She hauled wood, gardened, shovelled and helped build their home. What was so amazing is that she'd work alongside Dad and still make sure there was a meal on the table. Mom did a lot of knitting over the years for difference organizations and her family. She enjoyed curling, playing cards and board games. Every family get together included a couple of tables of two handed canasta as soon as the dishes were done. For many years Mom and Dad enjoyed playing whist once a month with the Fardoes and Blacks. Our holidays were usually spent going to Birch River and the farm in Whitewood. There was always lots of family visits and music to enjoy. Mom was a gambler. She never went to a casino but she did enjoy her bingo, nevada tickets and scratch cards. Material things didn't matter much to Mom but she did collect salt and pepper shakers. Her largest collection consisted of margarine containers and plastic bags. Throughout our childhood, weekends were spent camping. Mom would have the camper stocked and ready to roll as soon as Dad came home from work. In those days, camping with five kids was a lot more work than it is today. She enjoyed fishing and being in the boat. One of Mom's jobs before she was married was a school teacher. This might explain her zest for recording and collecting of information. Her writings of their trip to England shows her humourous side. If there was a disagreement over what year the bedroom suite was bought or how much they paid for it, she'd haul out one of her little books and then we'd know for sure who was right and who was wrong. Mom may have held the Saskatchewan record for having a learner's licence. She got hers when she was 52 and renewed it for 19 years. One thing about Mom - sons-in-law were definitely part of the family. She was loyal to them and would defend them as if they were her own sons. There were times we're sure she'd pick the sons-in-law over the daughters. We started grandchildren before Mom's nest was empty so she didn't have any lapse in mothering. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. It's funny how we couldn't eat whenever we wanted to because it would spoil our supper but if the grandchildren were hungry we had to feed them immediately. She excelled at being the saviour for her grandkids. The sons-in-law always looked forward to Mom's cooking and wished the daughters were as good a cook as their mother. Although her health wasn't as good by the time great grandchildren were born, the babies would bring an extra twinkle to her eyes. In her last days in the hospital the sound of the young ones would still get her attention. In closing, we'd like to remember Mom for her devotion to Dad and to us. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, c/o Christie's, 115 Main Street, Flin Flon or to the charity of one's choice. Dadson Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements. 204-687-5821 We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Amin for his years of care, nurses and staff on third floor and ambulance attendants. The food, flowers, cards and donations were greatly appreciated. Our sincere gratitude for the professional assistance of Dana, Darren and Bayley.10/21/2005
