Laureen (better known as Reen or Reenie) May Elizabeth Fayant of Melville passed away suddenly but peacefully in her sleep on December 27, 2017 in Spring Valley, SK at the age of 50 years. Laureen's life began in Whitewood, SK on November 29, 1967 when she was born to Joan Elaine Fayant (nee Ward) and Larry David Fayant. In her early years, she travelled with her parents during their time as home builders, eventually taking her to Alberta. With her infectious smile that lit up any room, her bubbly social-butterfly trait and her warm-hearted personality, Laureen never had any trouble making new friendships. Her kindred spirit always managed to keep in touch or reconnect with old friends. As a teenager, Laureen enjoyed her social times with her friends and her brother, Bradley (1966). She and Brad could find more mischief than you can shake a stick at, like painting themselves orange with Pioneer orange paints and so much more. Eleven months may have separated them at birth, but they were twins at heart. Laureen was also active with the Girl Guides and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. She also couldn't get enough camping in with the family and she loved helping out with her younger sisters, Lesley (1977) and Lindsay (1979). With many moves under her belt and some growing pains along the way, she made Melville/Yorkton area her main home. As her family and friends know, Laureen had her own way of doing things. It was Reen's way, or the way she called it, it was "Reen's world", but she made things happen no matter her struggles, many hardships and her setbacks. On November 5, 1987, Laureen welcomed to the world a precious daughter, Brittany. Though her small, premature daughter had some health problems that required too many surgeries to count and was in and out of hospitals for years, that didn't stop the love from growing to the fullest. Her little girl was so strong through it all, showing Laureen that strength is the greatest power of all. A few years later, on November 8, 1991, Laureen welcomed a healthy, beautiful bouncing baby boy, Kale, who was full of energy and spirit and had a contagious giggle that could lighten any heart; you couldn't help but laugh with him. Then, last but not least, on December 13, 1993, Laureen completed her family with little "wee" Sara, a warmhearted, soft-spoken little girl, who started out as a little fuzzy-haired girl and became a leader and a determined person, just like her mother; she stood up for everything she believed in. Though words sometimes didn't come out just right, Laureen was incredibly proud of her children, and she made sure the entire world knew how wonderful they were and how much she loved them. After moving to Yorkton in 1989, Randy Atkinson joined Laureen and Brittany's life. During this time, and with Randy's help, Laureen decided to change the course of her life. With her willpower and single-mindedness and two babies by her side now, she set forth to go back to high school to improve her grades. She graduated from the Yorkton Regional High School with the highest of honours, valedictorian. Laureen, Randy and the kids made the move to Saskatoon to broaden her learning. Laureen attended the University of Saskatchewan to obtain a degree in humanitarian studies and forensic sciences. Her ultimate goal was to join the RCMP with her degree. During her schooling and partway through her RCMP application process, it was discovered that she had cervical cancer, which required surgery and aggressive chemotherapy treatments, cutting short the beginning of her career. Laureen never did fully recover physically, later developing fibromyalgia and colitis to add to her already abundant obstacles. After moving back to Yorkton, Laureen persevered, holding a variety of jobs and doing whatever she could to help raise her family. With her strong organizational skills, her "to-do" lists that kept her in line and her craftiness, she always seemed to make things work and found her way through. Many years passed and Laureen continued with a positive "can-do" attitude and her fiery spirit. A little later, Laureen found solace in her partner, Jean-Louis Caissy and sealed that bond with a ceremony of joining of the hands July 2010. Laureen never passed up an opportunity when it presented itself, which began her love for motorcycling. If she ever needed a quiet, relaxed moment, you could find her with her other loves, reading, sketching, painting and drawing. If she needed a getaway, she'd be camping or fishing. Laureen also had an insatiable love for animals and enjoyed volunteering with animal rescue and the SPCA, as well as taking care of her own pets. Recently, she became a volunteer with the Melville Food Bank and got involved with the local United church. Laureen may not have had a lot, but she knew how to give. Her friends will always remember her charismatic charm and her compassionate heart. She could always make you laugh with her wittiness and humour and by turning her own clumsy incidents into the butt of her own jokes; she was a free spirit. Laureen leaves behind her daughter, Brittany Fayant; her son, Kale Atkinson; her daughter, Sara Fayant-Atkinson and fiancé, Kailey Shalovelo; her common-law husband, Jean-Louis Caissy; her mother, Joan Elaine Fayant (nee Ward); her father, Larry Fayant (Irma Klyne); her brother, Bradley (Susan) Fayant and their children, Robert (Maya) Golding and daughter Olive, Kurtis and Caleigh; her sister, Lesley Fayant (Matthew Eddy) and their children, Brett, Hayley, Ryann, Hillary and Blake; her sister, Lindsay Poersch (Darcy Blommaert) and her children, Taylor and Cora; her godfather, Albert Fayant and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her godmother, Beatrice Fayant and her grandparents, Fred and Jean Fayant and Earl and Florence Ward. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Lebret with the Rev. Fr. Bert Lillo celebrating. Participants included organist, Lucy Koolen and the church choir, readers Cora Poersch, Hayley Fayant-Stephen and Sheila Pelletier, eulogists Brad Fayant (presented by Brett Kuzek) and Randy Atkinson, Brett Kuzek was the urn bearer. Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
