Obituary of Marlene Loretta Young

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A full screen version of the video tribute is below

Marlene Loretta Young – daughter, sister, mother, wife, retired office administrator and avid plant-loving CBC radio fan – has left us after 86 years of sharing her kindness and humour.  Mom was born near Sioux Lookout, Ont., on Sept. 12, 1934, to Ludmille and Aime Gaudette. She was the middle of three children, grew up in McIrvine, Ont., outside of Fort Frances and then moved to Saskatchewan in her later teenage years. Mom brushed up on her typing skills in school in Regina and landed a job with the Saskatchewan government, where she spent her working career in various departments and administrative roles.  Her skills on roller-skates caught the attention of one Robert Young, whom she married in 1957. Son Perry arrived in 1960, with Michele close behind in 1961. Mom returned to work after both of her adorable children were in school and did the working-mother juggle.  Family was always mom’s heart and soul, but other passions filled any spare moments. She could be easily spotted in her large garden, wearing a wide-brimmed, lime-green hat, botanical T-shirt and Rider-green shorts or else she’d be out shopping with the stamina of a highly trained athlete as she searched for just the right unique gift. Otherwise, she’d be with her numerous orchids and sinningias, spraying, fertilizing and repotting and noting it all on each plant’s personal card. Each room containing plants had a radio playing throughout the day, always tuned to CBC. Family vacations consisted of packing up the green canvas tent trailer and heading to Kenosee or Waterton or Madge or somewhere else within a one-province radius. A couple of times, mom and dad went ‘wild’ and took the family to the West Coast. It was only after the kids moved out that the trailer was replaced by cozy hotel rooms and mom went overseas (with her plant club friends).  Mom was always kind and generous – unless you were playing cards, which is when she became ruthless and she took no prisoners, but she always trounced you with a smile. After retiring, she (finally!) got some grandkids to soak up her attentions and affections, even though they were two provinces away, that didn’t stop her from hopping a bus for a 23-hour road trip or sending intriguing packages through the mail. She also took up genealogy as a means of satisfying her drive to organize information, creating files for each individual relative and detailing the branches of the family tree.  In the last several years, Parkinson’s and dementia took their toll on mom’s health, but never her spirit. On Jan. 31, 2021, her breath faded and she gave herself to the strong beliefs of her Catholic faith.  Mom is being welcomed by those who have already departed, including her parents; and son, Perry. She will be deeply missed by those who remain, including husband Robert; daughter Michele (Mark Rogers); grandchildren, Arden and Renee; sister Melodie (Lou) Vallee; brother Eddie (Betty) Gaudette; numerous other relatives and friends, including nephews and nieces who gathered with her at family celebrations; and in particular, Colleen Vallee, who has spent the last several years caring for mom while attempting to trounce her at cards.  In lieu of flowers, please give to the Regina Humane Society, Box 3143, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 3G7, where many family pets were adopted. Mom’s service is being livestreamed on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. so those who can’t attend can still celebrate her life. To view the livestream or to leave a message of condolence for mom, please visit her tribute page at www.speersfuneralchapel.com