Obituary of May Cecilia Schaefer

SCHAEFER, May

May Schaefer left this world on Thursday, October 11, 2018, after 99 full years. Her journey began on June 30, 1919. Having grown up in the Great Depression, May lived by the motto, “Waste not; want not”.  She was known to save…everything.

May was fiercely independent and a business woman at a time when they were rare. She, along with her husband, owned and operated Modern Drycleaners on 13^th Ave for over 25 years. May was smart and quick with her thoughts and responses. Recently, when asked how she felt, she responded, “With my hands”.

May was competitive and wasn’t above beating her grandchildren at a game of Hi Ho Cheerios. She enjoyed bridge and card games of any type. Completing the daily crossword in the paper kept her mind sharp. She often said, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

May loved talking. When not driving, she preferred to travel by bus. May pointed out that people on a bus were much more apt to talk and visit than airline travellers. She enjoyed meeting interesting people and could strike up a conversation with anyone. We all knew that a phone call with May involved a serious time commitment.

Matter of fact, to the point, and sometimes blunt, May told it like it was. We could always count on receiving her honest opinion without embellishment.

A long-time member of the CWL and parishioner of Holy Rosary Cathedral, May also spent many hours of many years volunteering. She believed in giving back.

Sadness and pain are inevitable in a life of 99 years. May experienced her greatest pain and grief when she lost her daughter Marilyn and her son Richard. May lost her husband, John; two great grandsons, Justin and Ross; and three sons-in law, Brian, Guy, and Gerry. She was the last surviving member of her sibling group and in-laws.

May will be missed by her son Brian (Mary-Lyn); her daughter Cindy (Ron); her daughter-in-law June; and her grandchildren: Joel (Melissa), Eleese (Rob), Steven (Kim), Cherie (Trent), Deborah (Guy), Katherine (Mario), Donald (Iris), Kathleen (Scott), Maureen (Marvin), Stephen (Monika), Francis, Anne, Maureen, Allyson (Chubby), Christopher (Simona), Amy-Beth (Jesse), Crystal (Curt), and Carly.

May leaves a legacy of eighteen grandchildren, thirty-six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Funeral Mass will take place at Holy Rosary Cathedral, 3125 – 13^th Avenue, Regina, SK on Friday, October 19 at 1:00 p.m.

May believed flowers were for the living. She participated in the Walk of Life every year, after having fought and beaten cancer in the early 60’s. May was proud to be among the oldest surviving participants. Those wishing to do so may make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1910 McIntyre Street, Regina, SK S4P 2R3.