Obituary of Loretta Katherine Gervais

Friends and family are invited to join Loretta’s family for the Funeral Mass at Little Flower Parish, 420 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Celebration of Life will follow in the church hall.

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother, Loretta Katherine Gervais. Mom/grandma left this earth with family by her side, on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at the age of 86 years. She departed with the same grace and strength that she lived by!

Loretta was predeceased by her husband and love of her life Arnold (Max) Gervais; parents, John and Catherine Kohl (Gold); sister Eleanor Kistner; brother-in-law Harvey Gervais; sister-in-law Jean Gervais; sister-in-law Leona Gervais; and son-in-law John (Huntz) Folk.

Loretta leaves her seven children to celebrate her life and legacy: Marilyn (Ray) Fazakas, Laurie (Sherry) Gervais, Brenda Gervais (Bill), Reina Sinclair, Warren (Leah) Gervais, Wendy Gervais and Candace Gervais (Doug Isaac); eighteen grandchildren:  John Fazakas; Jennifer Gervais (Marcus), Laura Gervais, Nathaniel Gervais, Andrea Larter (Ronnie); Matthais Gervais, Alicia Gervais- McEwan (Adam); Aaron Sinclair (Miranda), Landon Sinclair (Laurel), Luke Sinclair; Warren Gervais JR, Wyatt Gervais, Emmett Gervais; Tyler Gervais (Stefanie); Kristen Morrell (Darren), Michael Gervais (Christine), Kaitlynn Gervais, Samantha Gervais; as well, fourteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom also leaves behind her youngest sister Beverley Nerland; sisters-in-law: Leona Turcotte (Gervais), Augustine Lavallee (Ouellette); brothers-in-law Ray Kistner, Paul Gervais, Bruce Villeneuve; and her Aunt Gertie who turned 100 this year. Mom is also survived by her special friend and companion “Mieka” (her dog) who never left her side during mom’s last three years.

Mom was born on the farm on a cold blistering day December 21, 1936. She was raised in Minton, Saskatchewan where she enjoyed playing ball and having fun with her siblings. In 1952, her family moved to Regina where she attended Balfour Technical School excelling in the Commercial and Office Education Course, a necessary component of her schooling requirement. During this time, she also worked part-time for Simpson Sears and a department of the Federal Government.

During these times, Mom began to venture out with friends and attended army dances at the Trianon Ballroom. As fate should have it, this is where mom met the love of her life Arnold Gervais. They both enjoyed picnics, and motorcycle rides as their relationship blossomed and their love for each other flourished; eventually transpiring into marriage and raising of a family. Later in life, mom and dad enjoyed travelling, camping, and spending time with their grandchildren. It was during this time, mom and dad also had fun travelling around Saskatchewan with dad’s band or sometimes on his motorcycle to visit relatives.

Mom would say that her greatest achievement was reflected in her child rearing skills and the raising of her family in general. She was born to be a “mom”! Having to raise seven children was not a chore for her but an exciting journey. This is where mom flourished and applied her skills as a seamstress, baker, knitter, negotiator, nurse, painter, sometimes a “general contractor” but most of all recognized by her ability to be a negotiator and to always “making everything better”! Mom was an amazing woman - giving recognition to her maintaining the household, and raising seven children with a smile, compassion, and grace and always having a shoulder to lean on; whether it was sharing a tender moment or us crying on it when necessary. Later in life as her children, now school age and able to care for one another; mom confidently went back to work for Saskatchewan Social Services where she retired after 20 years in 1997, when Dad needed her the most before passing. Mom then spent her time visiting family, old friends, and relatives - a sense reconnecting and rekindling her past.

Mom had a passion for gardening and loved animals. Resulting out of this passion later in life she bought a horse and began riding again at the age of 61. She also joined a group of friends playing weekly card games until she was no longer able due to Parkinson’s. Mom loved to dance, sing, and listen to music particularly country and in her last days enjoyed with the family the same Christmas Carols she played for us growing up.

Mom loved life and she always enjoyed a full house; opening our home to friends and family who may have needed a hot meal or a place to stay. She will be remembered for her love of holidays and decorating the house. Noting that Halloween was one of her favourite days; each year began to get spookier and spookier, with her incorporating music to the festivities enabling her grandkids with the opportunity to dance to the “Monster Mash”!

Notably, Christmas became Mom’s favourite holiday and season of the year; she enjoyed decorating the house, and generally creating an ambience reflective of Christmas cheer and love. She always had many baked goods ranging from an assortment of pies and cookies, homemade donuts; and meanwhile, making sure that she showcased her excellent culinary skills in preparing a complete old fashioned traditional Christmas meal, inclusive of all the trimmings. Even during the lean years, mom always made us feel like we were truly “rich” when it came to the holidays and particularly Christmas season.

Special thanks and acknowledgement go out to Wendy and Tyler, in having spent the last 25 years of her life with them and taking care of our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, and Friend. Especially, during the last 3 years of her life, they ensured mom was well cared for, respected, loved, and that she had fully embraced a sense of belonging within their home.

Also expressing our families’ thanks and sharing prayers to the Homecare Staff who supported mom during her last year inclusive of the nurses, doctors, and staff at the Pasqua Hospital in Unit 4A and Palliative Care. We thank all of you for treating our mother with the utmost respect and dignity as you would treat your own mother. As well, gratitude and love go to long-time family friend, Ljijana Pospisil-Schmidt who was also there during mom’s time in need. Thank You All!

Mom was a special woman and mother. She is gone but will never be forgotten by all those who knew and loved her.

We will always love you forever, our mother, grandmother, and matriarch you will always be – you will never be forgotten for you and Dad will forever be in our hearts and dreams. We know Dad again has his wife, love of his life and the mother of his children in his arms again spending eternity together.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to Parkinson Canada: https://www.parkinson.ca/getinvolved/waystogive/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2vG7h7rA_AIVShTUAR35RgkDEAAYAiAAEgKc1_D_BwE