Obituary of Ethel 'Marguerite' Steen

ETHEL MARGUERITE (nee Hill) STEEN August 14, 1914 - April 9, 2014 Marguerite passed away peacefully at the Parkside Extendicare Residence in Regina on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, at the age of ninety-nine, with family members by her side. Marguerite is survived by her two daughters, Sharon Sanders of Regina and Sandra Bruneau (Bill) of Vancouver; her son Graeme (Roxanne Inch) of Saskatoon; and grandchildren, Rochelle (Bill) Douris (Jade, Josiah, Nikolai, Milan) of Brampton, Jill (Russ) Clarke (Mitchell, Kyle, Lauren) of Regina, Jon (Maria) Bruneau (Sophie, Elena) of Coquitlam, Allyson (Dean) McDonald (Sydney, Liam) of Regina, Heather (Mike) Morhart (Claire, Seth, Kane) of Edmonton, Brad (Lauren) Sanders of Saskatoon and Dori Sanders (Tammy Ens) of Saskatoon. Marguerite is also survived by her sisters, Helen Hamilton of Barrie, ON and Joyce Lind of Moose Jaw; and by sisters-in-law, Gladys Hill of Winnipeg, Marie Hill of Hanna, AB, Faye Hill of High Level, AB and Nancy Hill of Toronto; as well as dozens of nieces and nephews. Marguerite was predeceased by her husband Elgin in 2004, and by her son-in-law Garth Sanders in 2014. She was also predeceased by her parents, Robert and Laura Hill; by three of five sisters, Myrtle, Marie and Roberta; and by five brothers, Harry, Bob, Gerald, Jack and Max. Marguerite was born and raised on a farm near Davidson, SK, but she lived most of her life on a farm near Aylesbury and in the town of Craik. In 1974, Marguerite retired with her husband Elgin to Regina. Her life was spent as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, musician and homemaker. Marguerite mastered the piano early in her life and became a registered piano teacher with her A.T.C.M. diploma. She shared her musical gifts with dozens of community members by teaching piano. Marguerite was also the organist at Aylesbury, Craik and Whitmore Park (Regina) United Churches. She was a member of several orchestras that played in central Saskatchewan towns: the McNabb Orchestra of Girvin, the Steen Orchestra involving both Marguerite and Elgin, and the Steen Liberty Orchestra, which performed in many towns and halls including Dance Land in Watrous, and Temple Gardens in Moose Jaw which was recorded on Saturday nights and played on CHAB radio in Moose Jaw. Marguerite and Sharon frequently performed together, singing and playing at community events in the Craik/Aylesbury districts and later in Regina. Elgin and Marguerite performed together for years on saxophone/clarinet and piano, entertaining at weddings, anniversaries, church services, talent shows, and farewell parties. Marguerite also provided piano accompaniment for Graeme on his clarinet and saxophone. She held many offices in The Order of Eastern Star including Grand Organist for the province. After the couple’s retirement to Regina, Marguerite joined the Daughters of the Nile and was elected Queen in 1994. Marguerite loved to entertain; she was a great cook, and she made the best home-made donuts and her pastry had no rival. Marguerite also loved to write (new) words to well-known songs in which everyone could participate. She had the most beautiful hand-writing and was an ardent correspondent with friends and relatives across Canada and northwest United States. Marguerite also kept meticulous records and albums of family pictures. She enjoyed travel; she packed the very best lunches for everyone to enjoy during long car trips. Best of all, Marguerite always put out the welcome mat for anyone who would like to visit, have a cup of tea, stay over, and tell good stories. Hers was a generous heart and she shared it with everyone. The family extends grateful thanks to Marguerite’s many friends, neighbours, and family members. Thank you to the staff members at Parkside Extendicare Residence and at Broadway Terrace. A special thank you to Sharon for her devotion to Marguerite and warm appreciation to Jennifer Brunskill for her loving care and friendship over the years to our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. The family is also deeply appreciative of the care and attention provided by Neale Eldercare. A Memorial Service will be held at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, SK on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the family plot in the Aylesbury Memorial Cemetery, Aylesbury, SK with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to the WA WA Shrine Patient Transportation Fund, 2065 Hamilton Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2E1 would be gratefully received. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com