Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Danny, Angela and family, I am so sad to hear about of your Mom, Reta’s passing. I knew her my whole young life, your Grandmother (Mary) and my mom (Scotty) were best of friends and farm neighbors. Reta was my baby sitter, my idol, my friend. We went to the same country school (Saltoun), I was just starting as she was finishing, but I have fond memories of that time. We would play Ante Over the old stable in the summer and Simon Says and Mother May I in the basement of the school during winter. I remember Reta sprained or broke her ankle during one of those Mother May I games. She tried to teach me to skate on the damn at the old school. There are so may things in my young life that are tied to memories of Reta. Its because of her I have a love for 50’s and 60’s music, she would bring over her records and play them when she was babysitting me and my siblings. Later in my teen years I became a young mom and when Reta moved back to Balcarres she became a friend and support for me, I think she new what I was going through, as much as I love Balcarres, back then it could be quite critical of young people. I will always be so appreciative of that support.
Reta left a huge impression on my life, if I close my eyes I can hear her laugh or hear her sing along to an Elvis song. My biggest regret is that we did not reconnect in later years. Again my deepest sympathies, she was an amazing person with a spirited gift for life.
Big hugs to all, Sheila Engel
