STOUGHTON - As the years go by, your parents get older and may need that extra hand at their home. How do we decide when that time is?
This was not difficult for Debbie Mclenagah when she spoke to her mom Ida Payton on the phone. She heard in her mother’s voice that she was tired, as her mom was caring for her husband and a friend of the family as well.
Payton will turn 89 years old in June and would like to remain at home as long as possible. This was something she had told her daughter at an earlier time.
Payton grew up near Saskatoon. As a young child she lost her brother as an infant. Her dad would pass away when she was three, while her mother was pregnant with her sister. Sadly, her sister also would pass away when Payton was six years old, leaving her as an only child. Payton’s mother, Dorothy Fleet would never remarry.
She worked for the Saskatchewan government telephone service. She married her first husband Bruce Mclenagah and had six children. He passed away when he was forty-nine.
Payton moved on in life, as she had to. She met and married Delbert Payton and has been happily married for 43 years. She has made Stoughton her home and has enjoyed her life here over the years working at the seniors home and cleaning houses.
She has had struggles in her life. She lost a son and two grandchildren, but through this all she remained strong in her faith.
Mclenagah is one of Payton’s children, and at the time was living in Taber, Alta. She was a truck driver hauling sugar beets and various other items. She remained close to her mom by calling often and visiting as much as she could.
Mclenagah also did long hauling into the United States and drove pilot trucks for wide loads. She was always working at something.
She has always had a passion for horses and started riding when she was seven years old. She became the rodeo queen later on in life and did other horse related events.
Mclenagah also has six children, with the youngest being a registered nurse.
One day Mclenagah called her mom. Her mother sounded tired over the phone and asked her mom if she wanted her to move back home. Payton replied, “You have your own life and job.”
After getting off the phone, Mclenagah was not sure what to do so she asked God. The answer was clear and Payton’s daughter began to pack for her return home.
At first it was not easy, Mclenagah explained. Her stepfather and his friend Ken also lived with her mother. Her mother had been caring for both of them. It was not long that Ken needed to have more care than what the pair could offer, so he went to live in the Weyburn Home. It was not long after that Ken would pass away on his 91st birthday.
Payton’s husband, Delbert would stay at his home for a short while, but he too became too much for the pair to handle. He now resides at the Stoughton Pioneer Lodge. They phone regularly and visit often.
At the time Mclenagah arrived, Covid would hit and they both agreed it was a blessing to have each other during this time. Mclenagah said, “I’m not sure who it benefits more, mom or me.”
During the lock downs the two would have tea parties, play games, watch movies, and play TV bingo. They both love to sing and Payton is an avid reader. Mclenagah and Payton are members at the Apostolic church in Stoughton.
They also have a love for animals. They recued a dog named Sadie and also have two large cats. Joanie the cockatoo visits regularly as well. Just recently, a couple of horses adorn their pasture, which Payton enjoys watching.
In the end, Payton said, “My daughter is a blessing. She does everything and she is a diligent worker. I am incredibly grateful for her.”
We all make our own decisions in life, but this is one decision that the pair are happy they made. Mclenagah said, “I will look after mom as long as I am able.”
