Obituary of Edith Marie Gavigan

EDITH MARIE GAVIGAN Edith was born on November 19, 1920 on the family farm at Sec.30, Tp. 45, Rge.18, W.3, near Delmas, Saskatchewan. She died peacefully in her 94th year at Pasqua Hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan in the early hours of October 13, 2014. Predeceased by her parents, Claude Grosjean and Thérèse Garnier; her siblings, Eugenie, Clement, Victor, Fernand, Fernande, Leona, and Ernestine; her infant sons Joseph and Thomas; and, in 2002, by her spouse Keith Gavigan. She is survived by and her memory cherished by her children, Shelley (Karen Andrews) of Toronto, Neil (Jacqueline) of Ottawa, Michelle (Ric Clemence) of Regina, Renée of Saskatoon, Michael (Marjorie) of Regina, Patricia (Simon) Budd of Fort McMurray; seven grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Amy Deverell (Nicholas Rolle), Geneviève Gavigan (Sefton Hyde-Clarke), Patrick Gavigan (Catharina), Cameron Clemence, Devlin Gavigan-Hosaluk, Sarah Gavigan, Denis Gavigan, and new great-grandson Desmond Hyde-Clarke; her sister Cecile Lavoie of North Battleford, and many nieces and nephews across Canada. She married Keith in 1949 and together they changed each other’s lives for 53 lively years. As devoted to and proud of their six children as Edith was (and we knew she was), nursing was her vocation. Edith trained as a nurse at Holy Family Hospital in Prince Albert and during her career she worked as a registered nurse in public health, long term care, and the maternity ward. She was delighted that so many of her nursing colleagues joined us to celebrate her 90th birthday – 25 years after her retirement. A clever and witty woman, Edith embraced life with an indomitable spirit and a sense of adventure. She loved baseball and bridge in equal measure, and brought a sense of fun to everything she did. Though she would never have said this of herself, she was a brave and unconventional woman, and her love and inspiration will remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Since 2006, Edith enjoyed the friendship and support of the residents and staff at Wintergreene Estates and most recently from the wonderful staff of Haven House. Edith’s family would also like to thank the staff of 4C at Pasqua Hospital for their dedicated and compassionate care, and Pasqua’s Palliative Care Unit for their support in Edith’s all too brief time in their care. Edith’s family will receive friends at Speers Funeral Chapel, 2136 College Avenue, Regina, on Thursday October 16, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. Edith’s life will be celebrated at a Funeral Mass held at Christ the King Church, 3239 Garnet Street, Regina, on Friday October 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations in Edith’s memory to Four Directions Community Health Centre, 3510 5th Ave Regina, SK, S4T 0M2 or to a charitable organization that supports the health and well-being of mothers and their children.