Obituary for Arlene Bernice Abbott (Morine)

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Life Story for Arlene Bernice Abbott (Morine)

Arlene Abbott
Eulogy for Memorial Service
April 30, 2016

Mom was born on the family homestead and lived within 15 miles of Estevan Saskatchewan for all 87 years of her life. She had very deep roots in this community. Mom was the 8th of 9 children and grew up during the hard times of the Great Depression. This gave her a great understanding of the importance of immediate and extended families in overcoming the challenges of life. She drew on that strength to live an adventurous life full of love, joy and peace.

Life on the farm had its challenges. Lunch at school was sometimes just a baked potato. She hated looking after the sheep because the lambs had to be carried a long way back to the barn. Mom often told the story of riding to Forest Glen School by horse and wagon with her siblings. One particular horse didn’t always make it to school but would turn around and take them home. Her father couldn’t believe it was the horse’s fault.

 
Mom and Dad met at a dance in Estevan. These were regular events in the summer when the Big Bands traveled through western Canada. They loved to dance and we remember sitting in awe, watching them chuck and jive at all the wedding dances.

Mom and Dad loved the adventure of life; dreaming of opportunities instead of worrying about risks. In her mid-20’s, Mom was willing to be a full partner with Dad in a new drive-in theatre business, while giving birth to 3 children by age 32. She became an expert at juggling her time between their business and family life. We all worked at the drive-in; making popcorn, taking food orders, projecting the movies and cleaning the grounds. Mom often told how she would put us on the truck seat or in a basket at the ticket booth to be watched by the staff.

Mom always seemed to have time for the things that were important to her children. She made sure we were involved in numerous activities like going to church, VBS, confirmation classes, piano lessons, swimming lessons, skating, playing ball and playing instruments in school bands. Our block had the longest running game of Hide and Seek in the neighbourhood and she never knew who was coming over for dinner or where we kids were eating out, as it depended on whose home was offering the best food that night. Mom’s love for babies and children of all ages carried through her whole life. Just walking down the street, shopping, or wherever, Mom always engaged with them and her delight was genuine.
Mom often had to put out fires, literally, due to her mischievous sons. Bruce wanted to melt wax for a candle stand when the paper caught on fire, so he put it into the garbage can and then put the garbage can into closet. After closing the closet he ran to Mom for help. Grant wanted to beautify the valley by burning off the dead grass but ruined a new jacket while trying to put it out.
Mom had a lot of passion for sport in her life. She participated in track, basketball, bowling and curling. As we grew up she focused her time on our events. She was our biggest fan no matter what sport we played. When the grandchildren arrived the intensity grew. Mom was tirelessly taking the grandsons tobogganing, pulling them up the hill when they were too tired to walk. She seldom missed any of her grandsons sporting or other events. Mom had a deep love for hockey, baseball and basketball as a fan herself.

Mom always looked forward to connecting with her extended family and friends. Everyone was welcome in her home and she made time to connect and catch up with young and old alike. Once Mom and Dad started the Love Story gift shop many people received beautiful cards from Mom that truly reflected her heart and best wishes. The store became a regular stop for many parents as “Auntie Arlene” actively engaged with all the children while the moms shopped. The grandkids were often in the back of the store cutting up envelopes and gluing them together, much to her delight.

Mom loved gardening her entire life. For years she harvested a large vegetable garden and made up preserves for her family. Expressions of beauty were important to Mom and she always had a yard full of beautiful flowers. Her flower pots and roses were the highlight of the neighbourhood and gave her great joy. A close friend referred to her yard as Bouchart Gardens. Every spring Maureen and Mom would immerse themselves in planting pots and beds with annuals and perennials. Mom faithfully cared for and nurtured her gardens, just like she loved her family and friends.

With Dad’s passing in 1994 and sale of the store at the same time, Mom’s life changed a lot. She had more time for the little pleasures of life like bird watching, vacations and staying in touch with extended family and friends. She became more involved in the church through the Mission Circle, bible studies and other ways of serving. Mom also had time for 2 bridge groups, daily walking and frequent coffees or lunches with friends.

Mom also had more time to engage in her love for the arts. She enjoyed the school drama programs and music concerts plus many of the plays performed by the local theatre group in Estevan. Mom often attended theatre productions in Regina which became a tradition with Maureen and her friends.
With her severe stroke 9 years ago, we thought life would drastically change for Mom, but not so. She was determined to get her life back; since there were many people who depended on her to drive them to doctors’ appointments and church activities. We were amazed when Mom got 90% of her mobility back and returned to living in her home. Once she could no longer drive she humbly and genuinely accepted help from friends. Mom had a wonderful way of giving value and appreciation to anyone who helped her.

Mom was so wise and discerning that we never had to prod or wrestle with her over important life changing decisions. She didn’t want to be a burden on anyone so she made plans to sell her home and move to a condo. Mom loved her condo and made great friends there, enjoying all the social activities they had. It was a great joy to our family to see how her condo neighbours became the good friends who embraced and cared for her.

Years later Mom also knew when it was time to move into a nursing home so she could get the care she needed. How she loved her new home at Hillview Manor! It was such a relief from the stress of looking after everything herself. Mom loved being with people and would go to every activity she was invited to. It was a joy for us to hear about all her activities and how much Mom loved all the staff that cared for her with so much love.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things (Phil 4:8).
Mom not only thought these things but shared these thoughts through her greeting cards, letters and phone calls to everyone she loved when they needed to hear it.
Our Mother loved a busy active life, not wanting to miss anything, and she lived it full of love, joy and peace. We were often concerned at how long she would stay up at family celebrations but Mom was quick to respond “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Well, Mother, we don't imagine for a moment that you are sleeping; we know you are celebrating every moment in the presence of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through her strong faith Mom spoke the language of heaven, bringing the kingdom of God to everyone who got to know her.