Category Archives: Obituary

Obituary: Sinnett, Reginald

Sinnett, Reginald
October 24, 1948 — January 5, 2016

It is with great sadness, we announce the sudden passing of our father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be lovingly remembered and missed by his daughters Nicole Davis (Mike), Leanne Sinnett and grandchildren Mackenzie and Danica Davis along with his brothers and sisters. A family celebration will be held in the summer.

Obituary: Matovich, Ray

Ray Matovich
Ray Matovich

Matovich, Raymond Lawrence
Sept. 30, 1940 — Jan. 25, 2016

Ray Matovich passed away at Royal University Hospital on Jan. 25, 2016, at the age of 75.

Ray was born in Flin Flon, Man. He was the eldest of eight siblings. He grew up on the family farm in Kenaston, Sask., attending school and marrying his wife Paulette (Dube) in 1963.

Together in their 52 years of marriage they lived in various places Saskatoon, Edmonton, Lanigan, Airdrie, and finally back home to Kenaston. Ray was a farmer, a trucker, a log home builder, construction foreman and a pipeliner. He made many lifelong friends wherever he lived.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife Paulette; daughter Celeste Matovich; son Orrin (Caron) Matovich and their children Maria, Noel, Rachael and Eve; brothers Jim (Wendy) Matovich, Alfred (Diane) Matovich; sisters Rose Matovich, Veronica (Linty) Crawford, Nadine (Bruce) Walter, Barbara (Walter) Sagen; brother-in-law Floyd (Mari) Dube; sisters-in-law Carmelle Pavelich, Florence (Dale) Onishenko, Raye (Ian) Jaffe; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by son Ian Matovich; parents Martin and Elizabeth Matovich; in-laws Elzear and Aline Dube; brother Francis Matovich; brothers-in-law Robert Dube, George Pavelich, Emile Sorin; sister-in-law Rose Sorin; nephews Riel Dube, Daniel Dube, Maurice Bouchard; great-nephew Eric Schmidt.

Ray was a loyal Knights of Columbus member and enjoyed curling, softball, telling jokes and being with his family. The family would like to thank the staff at the University Hospital: Dr. Palan, Dr. Pearson, Dr. DeVillier, Dr. Chris, and especially the nurses in Emergency and Cardiac ICU.

Prayers were held Thursday, Jan. 28, with a Mass of Christian Burial the following day, Jan. 29 at St. Andrew’s Church, Kenaston, Sask. For those so wishing, donations in memory of Ray can be made to the charity of your choice or the St. Andrew’s cemetery fund. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Brooke, September

September Brooke
September Brooke

Brooke, September
December 10, 1962 — January 10, 2016

It is with great sadness we announce the passing of September Brooke on Jan. 10, 2016. September was born in Maple Creek, Sask., to Gerald Burt and Gloria Williams. She graduated from Davidson High School in 1980 and lived in Davidson for the remainder of her life.

September’s love of books and reading led her to pursue a career as a librarian. She worked as the branch librarian in Davidson from 1998, receiving a certificate with honours in Library Training in December 2010. Her dedication to lifelong learning and teaching is being recognized by Palliser Regional Library through the naming of the September Brooke Rural Education Bursary.

September was predeceased by her grandparents Anne and Jake Williams, Ruth and Lloyd Burt and twin daughters born prematurely in 1983. She is survived by her husband Josh; three children, Rob (Vanessa), Chantelle (Sven) and Sheldon (Aimee); grandchildren Layne and Hailey; parents Gerald and Gloria; siblings Monty (Heather) and Holly (Robin); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Her family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Davidson Health Centre and the Saskatoon Cancer Centre for their dedication and care.

A service for September was held in Davidson on Jan. 23, 2016. Donations in her memory can be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, Saskatoon Cancer Centre, and the Davidson Public Library. Arrangements were in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home.

Obituary: Gourlay, Harold Robert

Harold Gourlay
Harold Gourlay

Harold Robert Gourlay
1946 — 2016

Harold Robert Gourlay of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of Lynn (Hillis) Gourlay, passed away on Monday, Jan. 4, 2016 at the age of 69 years. Harold also leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Kelley (Kyle King); his sons Brent and Michael (Shiela), all of Medicine Hat; and his grandchildren Maralynn Sasse, Kelvin King, Robert Gourlay and Stephanie Gourlay. He also leaves to mourn five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Harold was predeceased by his parents Hugh and Gertrude (Danielson) Gourlay; his mother and father-in-law, Arthur and Maizie Hillis; three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law. Harold was raised on the family farm at Davidson, Sask. He spent several years as a truck driver in Saskatchewan and Alberta. He also spent 10 enjoyable years on Vancouver Island where he and Lynn ran a family business before relocating to Medicine Hat in 1993. Harold then returned to truck driving until his retirement. The family would like to thank Dr. Martin Wong and Dr. Bao Dang as well as the nurses on 5West at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. A come-and-go reception will be held at Saamis Creekside Centre, #11 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Memorial gifts in Harold’s memory may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent through www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com, subject heading Harold Gourlay. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Saamis Memorial Funeral Chapel and Crematorium, “The Chapel in the Park,” Medicine Hat, Alta. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone 1-800-317-2647.

Obituary: Nixon, Doris

Doris Nixon
Doris Nixon

Nixon, Doris Norma (Cook)
1921 — 2016

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Doris Nixon, aged 94 of Craik, Sask. Doris was born on July 6, 1921 and died on Jan. 12, 2016 at the Craik Health Centre. Her son Gary and close friends were by her side at the time of her passing.

Doris was predeceased by her parents Alice (Funston) Cook and Lawrence Cook; her brother Stanley and her beloved daughter Sharon (Nixon) LePoudre; husband Floyd Nixon on Dec. 31, 2001 and her son-in-law Jules LePoudre.

Doris leaves to mourn her passing her son Gary; her grandsons Jeff Schindler (Cindy Nordmarken) and family; Paul LePoudre and family; granddaughter Angela (Kevin) Berglund and family, as well as friends at the Craik Health Centre and in the Craik community.

A service of remembrance will be held at the Craik United Church on Jan. 18, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Worship leader Hilda Dale will preside. A time of fellowship will be held at the Craik Community Hall immediately following the burial at the Craik Cemetery.

Gary would like to thank the staff at the Craik Health Centre for the excellent care they gave Doris. Special thanks also to Cathy Sperling for her thoughtfulness and for the care she gave Doris in ways too numerous to mention. Thanks also to the Lee family for their visits and the many acts of kindness shown to Doris. Thank you as well to Dorothy and Pete Livingstone for the help they gave Doris over the years.

Doris grew up in the Rose Hill district east of Craik where her parents farmed. She attended Rose Hill School. Doris’s grandmother Alice (Barber) Cook lived with Doris and her parents for many years and was a great influence in her life. Doris helped her parents on the farm and worked for a time as a hired girl.

Doris met Floyd Nixon at a community dance when he came to Craik as part of a threshing crew in 1934.

Floyd joined the army in 1940 and was posted overseas for 4 and a half years. He returned to Canada on New Year’s Eve in 1945. Doris and Floyd were married on March 27, 1946, shortly after Floyd’s return.

Their daughter Sharon was born July 1, 1947 and their son Gary was born on March 4, 1953. Floyd and Doris purchased 13-23-28 W2nd through the Veterans Land Act. They also farmed the land of Daisy and Ben Arnold for 25 years. When Sharon was old enough to start school, the family moved to 11-23-28 W2nd where Gary now lives.

Doris was a member of the Foxbury United Church and later joined the Craik United Church when she and Floyd moved into Craik. She was also a member of the Hospital Aid and the Craik UCW. Doris enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbours and was especially overjoyed when her grandchildren and their children came to visit.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Craik Health Centre Foundation and the Craik United Church or the charity of your choice. Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.

Obituary: Wood, Shirley Belle

Shirley Wood
Shirley Wood

Wood, Shirley Belle
March 31, 1935 — November 29, 2015

Every so often tragedy strikes. Heaven has decided to take our mom/nana in a tragic accident on Sunday, November 29, 2015. Just goes to show you that the Angels on the other side needed a new angel to shake things up and make things more interesting (and that she will do). Shirley was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Jean Thurber and brother, Don Thurber. She leaves to cherish her memory her sisters, Lorraine (Neil) Songer, Ev (Glen) Fiske; brother, Dave (Yvonne) Thurber; sisters-in-law, Jeanie and Donna Thurber; daughters, Kathy (Garnet) Hjelsing, Connie (Chuck) Brazel, Diane Songer and Brenda Baskerville. She also leaves to mourn seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A celebration of Shirley’s life was held at 2 p.m., Friday, December 4, 2015 at the Craik Community Legion Hall. For friends so wishing, memorial donations in memory of Shirley may be directed to a charity of choice.

Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson was in care of arrangements.