Obituary of Margaret Laverne' Mott

MOTT, LAVERNE 1926-2009 Margaret Laverne Mott (nee Coleman) passed away at Pasqua Hospital on March 12, 2009. She is survived by sons Morris (Raymonde) of Brandon, Darwin (Gail) of Meadow Lake, and Vernon (Romanita) of Asker, Norway; grandchildren Trena (Adam) Doyle, Melanie, Shelley, Kenny, Nikolai, and Romain Mott; great- grandchildren Carson and Austin Doyle; brother Frank (Eva) Coleman; sisters Ethel (Louis) Toeppner, Lavica Mahnke; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Ken Mott; parents Robert and Varo (nee Mitchell) Coleman; sisters Violet Wright, Ursula Hovland, Priscilla Wright. Laverne and her twin sister Lavica were the youngest of seven children born to Robert and Varo Coleman of the Froude district. Laverne attended Hudmore and Froude schools. After completing high school, she enrolled in the six week Normal School course in Regina. After graduation, she was hired at OBrien School southwest of Stoughton. She taught for only one year. At a dance she had met Ken Mott, a farmer from the Crieff district north of Creelman. She decided her future would be with him. They married in July, 1945. For eight years they lived on the farm, then in 1953 moved to their new home in Creelman. Between 1946 and 1957 three sons were born, and while they grew up most of Lavernes time and energy were spent as a loving, supportive wife and mother. She was also very involved in community affairs. She played softball, curled, coached a sons baseball team when needed, acted as CGIT leader for a time, contributed to events such as fowl suppers and the annual Fair (her entries in baking, garden produce, pickles, and preserved fruits always took prizes). She especially shared with the community her impressive musical abilities. She was United Church organist for many years. She was a member of the church choir for more than forty years, including several as leader. She and Lavica performed vocal duets at dozens of weddings, graduations, funerals, and anniversaries in Creelman and nearby towns. By the mid 1970s the boys were leaving home, and Ken and Laverne found more time to attend concerts or plays, to travel, and especially to take up square and round and old time dancing. Then in 1982 Ken died. Laverne was devastated. She appreciated very much the support now offered by members of her immediate family, by relatives, by her dancing friends, curling friends, church members, and members of the little Creelman Jug Band.? She also became an enthusiastic follower of the activities of her grandchildren, and attended scores of school plays, musical recitals, dancing performances, basketball games, softball games, hockey games. In 1997 she moved to Regina. Soon she had grandchildren in Norway, and she visited them. Frequently she travelled to Creelman for birthday parties, funerals, the Fair, the Dinner Theatre and other events. She also became close to friends she had made in Regina, especially those at Whitmore Park United Church, in the Heritage Fiddlers, and in the Old Tyme Music Makers who entertained regularly at senior citizens homes. Tears came to her eyes when she described people in wheel chairs moving with the music. In her final weeks, Laverne was grateful for care provided by doctors, nurses, home care workers, and she appreciated the flowers, cards, visits, and telephone calls from friends. Lavernes funeral will be held in St. Andrews United Church, Creelman, on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations in memory of Laverne may be made to St. Andrews United Church, Creelman, S0G 0XO; to Whitmore Park United Church, 336 Durham Drive, Regina, S4S 4Z7; to Regina Palliative Care Inc., 4101 Dewdney, Regina, S4T 7T1 or to another charity of choice.