Obituary of Stella Emily Stickland

STELLA STICKLAND, born August 10, 1918 on the family homestead at Broadview, Saskatchewan, passed away gently at Sunset Extendicare Home, on October 30, 2009 at the age of 91years. Debilitated by arthritis in her last years, she has gone to a better place to be reunited with her beloved husband, Leonard; son, Gary; parents, William and Edith Hunter; two brothers, Archie and Bill Hunter; sister, Grace Koepke; and many close friends. Stella was a true daughter of the prairies, growing up in Broadview, and living always in Saskatchewan. Its been said that as a child she could run across a field, jump on a horse and ride bareback! As a young woman she attended Regina Normal School, and taught at Inglesfield School , (near Maryfield ) and at Govan. At Maryfield she met her future husband, Leonard ,and married him in 1944. They moved to Regina, and raised their family in their Cameron Street home. During their married life, Mom worked at RH Williams during WW 2, and then became a stay-at-home mom until the middle 60s when she embarked on several new occupations including managing the Melodyland Music store ( a co-owned family venture), and work as an employment counselor at Canada Manpower. To each of these jobs, as to raising her family, Mom brought great commitment, dignity, high expectations of herself, and a sense of privilege and grace! Stella and Len were active in the life of St. Peters Anglican Church, where she taught Sunday School, belonged to and sometimes presided over the Mothers Union, and Anglican Church Womens groups, played the church organ, and sang in the choir. Mom was a gifted pianist, and music was a large part of family life. She and Dad hosted many gatherings of friends in our home, with Mom playing while guests sang all the old familiar songs. Gatherings at our home were always well attended and loved! Stella was a clever, loving, intelligent woman, fiercely supportive of her husband, children and their families. She had a wonderful smile, deep affection for all the people and things that she loved, and lived her life with purpose, dignity and grace! She will be missed by friends and family who survive her including daughter, Sharon (Ed) Waddington, of Kanata Ontario; son, Eugene Stickland of Calgary; Tom (Alison) Stickland of Regina; and grandchildren Hanna Stickland, Dr. Ashley Waddington (with whom she proudly shared a birthday), Geoff (Silvana) Waddington; and great-granddaughter, Ellena Waddington. We will remember Stella at St. Marys Anglican Church, 3337 " 15 Avenue, Regina on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 am. Flowers are most graciously declined. Donations, in memoriam, may be made to the The Arthritis Society, 110 " 2550 12 Avenue, Regina, SK, S4P 3X1 or to a charity of your choice. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speers funeralchapel.com