Obituary of Mareata Iona Mayne

Mareata Mayne was born in Ebenezer, Saskatchewan to parents Joe and Mabel Muth. As a child, she lived in small towns across the province as her father, a teacher, was posted at many schools. Mareata moved to Regina as a young woman and met her husband Brian through a United Church young people’s group. They were married in 1961 and Mareata followed in her Dad’s footsteps by attending Teachers’ College and beginning a career as a teacher. It wasn’t long before Mareata and Brian became proud parents by adopting two babies, Michelle in 1965 and Peter in 1966. Mareata left the teaching profession to devote herself to motherhood. When the two children were both in high school, Mareata chose to go back to work, devoting many years to retailers Regal Greetings and Gifts, Brennan Supply and Presents World Wide Gifts. Mareata had a deep and abiding passion for music. Over the years, she taught after-school piano lessons to countless young people in her home. She was also a member of many singing groups over the years, including the St. James United Church choir and the M and M’s, a group she formed with her two good friends Mary and Mabel. The group played at many seniors’ homes and charitable events over the years. Mareata loved to be in front of a crowd and was truly in her glory when she was in costume, acting in a play or belting out her favourite old time songs. Mareata later became the musical director for a senior’s choral group called The Rotary Songsters. This was just one way for Mareata to share her enthusiasm for life with those around her. She was also a regular volunteer at Government House and the Regina General Hospital gift shop and she would regularly drop in to cheer up friends in the hospital or in nursing homes, even when her own health was failing. Mareata loved to spend time outside in nature. Every spring and summer she would work tirelessly in the many flower beds around the family home, planting hundreds of petunias and marigolds. She also walked regularly in Wascana Park – spring, summer, fall and winter. Although Mareata spent her adult years settled in Regina, she also loved to explore new places. When the children were young, the family went on camping trips to destinations in every part of North America: Disneyland, Disney World, the Maritimes, and the Grand Canyon to name a few. Later, the family would also travel to Hawaii and Europe. She and Brian traveled to New York City and to Trinidad for Carnival. Mareata passed away at the Regina General Hospital on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. She was predeceased by her father Joe and her mother Mabel. She will be missed by her brother Larry Muth, her son Peter (Karen) Mayne, her daughter Michelle (Jason) Belisle, her four grandchildren, Dylan, Sean, Juliana, and Laura, and by many other family members and friends. Mareata’s life will be remembered in a Musical Memorial Service at St. James United Church, 4506 Sherwood Drive, Regina, SK on Sunday, August 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Laura Sundberg and Rev. Diane Robinson officiating. A Reception will follow in the church hall. Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, 1738 Quebec Avenue Unit 26, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1V9 or the St. James United Church Memorial Fund. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com