ST. MARIE: The death of Betty Jean St. Marie, aged 75 years, of Meota, occurred on October 8, 2011 at Battlefords Union Hospital. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband of 59 years, Fred and children: Steven (Dawna) St. Marie and their children: Sean (Jasmine), and Danielle, Saskatoon, SK; Karen St. Marie and her son Darryl, and his children: Madison and Dredan, Saskatoon, SK; Debbie St. Marie, Red Deer, AB and her son Joel (Sara) and their children Hayden, Hanna and Hope, Eckville, AB; Brenda (Louis) Bonneville, Glaslyn, SK and their daughters, Leeann (Paul) See and their daughter Arianna, Prince Albert, SK; Nicole (Curtis) Moore and their daughters, Samantha, Martina and Erica, Whitefox, SK; Randy (Laurie) St. Marie and their children, Nathan, Hayley and Alec, rural North Battleford and Saskatoon, SK; siblings: Ross (Evelyn) MacLeod, Buffalo Narrows, SK; Gordon (Mary) MacLeod, Nanaimo, BC; Allan (Mary) MacLeod, Sturgiss, SK; Lucy (Allister) Sutherland, North Battleford, SK; James MacLeod, Meota, SK; Margaret Ray, Meota, SK; Marlene MacLeod, Fort St. John, BC and numerous nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Kenneth and Blanche MacLeod; granddaughter, Amie St. Marie and brothers-in-law, Frank Ray and Al Ruddell. A Celebration of Life for Betty St. Marie was held October 18, 2011 in the Meota Community Complex, Meota, SK, followed by a private interment of cremated remains at the Meota Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to The Palliative Care Unit, Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, North Battleford, SK. The Battlefords Funeral Service was entrusted with the funeral arrangements. Eulogy ~ given by Nicole (Bonneville) Moore My grandmother, Betty Jean St. Marie was born to Kenneth and Blanche MacLeod, August 19, 1936 near Meota, SK and lived on the farm along the shores of Jackfish Lake, I mile north of Meota with her siblings, Ross, Gordon, Allan, Lucy, James, Margaret and Marlene. In 1952 she married Fred St. Marie and together raised 5 children, Steven, Karen, Debbie, Brenda and Randy. After living for a time in North Battleford and then in Regina, they moved to Meota in 1964 and resided there together until her passing. Grandma worked for a time as a Housekeeper at the Saskatchewan Hospital, then in 1978 she opened a restaurant in Meota, The Village Inn. Many of you may remember the home-cooked meals, pastries, smorgasbords and her famous clubhouse sandwiches. She was a wizard on the pinball machine in the café and was popular with the younger generation, as with people from all walks of life. Later she worked at Don & Jerry's Bulk Foods in North Batlteford where her talents shone as she created beautiful decorative baskets of candy and nuts for the holidays. Many of the hunters, who stayed at Sutton's Bed & Breakfast where she also worked, remember her Wild Rice Bread and Pincherry Jelly. Grandma was a gardener and her flowers were a great joy to her, as were the many birds, especially the hummingbirds that frequented the yard. She was very creative and was involved in numerous artistic pursuits throughout her lifetime, oil painting, paper-tole, sewing, and fashioning old time Santa Clauses and Nativity sets. Her children and grandchildren fondly remember receiving beautiful handmade knitted or crocheted afghans or baby blankets and sweaters. She was also known as the Avon lady for many years. Grandma was also a hunter, spending many fall days throughout Saskatchewan hunting with Grandpa and friends for mule and whitetail deer. She was a skilled marksman and got out her slingshot whenever the crows would nest in the spruce trees in the yard. Her children remember many outings to the Battle River, Turtle Creek or the North Saskatchewan River for picnics, searching for freshwater clams or looking for fossils. She was a great cook and you knew she was just a phone call away if you forgot how to make something or needed a recipe. At one time she baked pies and bread and sold them around the lake to the summer crowd. Her greatest joy was her 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. In family pictures she always seemed to have a baby in her arms. She never forgot anyone's birthday, and at Christmastime she put so much love into the gifts she gave. We all remember the homemade fudge, Turtles, butter tarts and thimble cookies and there was always a beautifully decorated tree. To her, Christmas meant family, and that meant the world to her. In 2002, Grandma and Grandpa celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. How wonderful it was to see two people who cared so deeply for each other reaching that milestone in their lives. Sadly, Grandma became ill in August of this year and on October 8th, passed away with family at her side. Today we celebrate the life of Betty St. Marie, Though she is gone, she will be eternally loved and forever in the hearts and memories of those who had the great privilege and honour to call her wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, and friend, We love you Grandma. CARD OF THANKS The family of Betty St. Marie, wish to thank Palliative Care Unit of Battlefords Union Hospital for their compassionate care, Robert MacKay and Battlefords Funeral Service for everything you've done, the Meota Lakeshore Lions for their donation, the Meota Community Funeral Lunch Committee, those who gave comfort and sympathy through cards, flowers, food and donations in her memory, and to all those who shared in her life. With Gratitude Fred St. Marie, Steven, Karen, Debbie, Brenda, Randy and families. ____________________________________________________
