Remembering the Life of Marion Windrum

With sadness in our hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Marion (Hillstead) Windrum following a long battle with cancer on August 18, 2009 in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Marion was predeceased by her parents, Ted and Bessie Hillstead, brothers, Ken, Roy, and sister-in-law, Esther; her brother-in-law, Bernard Polasek; her father and mother-in-law, Bob and Jessie Windrum, and infant son, Robert Dwight.

Marion is survived by her husband of 55 years, George, and their son, Doug (Geri), and their children Sheri (Rob) Stewart (Shay-Lynn and Dougie), Shauna (Brad) Wall (Tony and Lyle), Doug's son, Londell Boucher; their daughter, Cindy (Paul) Dennett and their daughter, Melissa (Stacy); their son, Del (Carol) and their sons, Rory (Pam) and Nathan; her brothers, Harold (Dorothy) Hillestad, and Morris (Fern) Hillstead; sisters, Glenna (Arlo) Johnson, and Eunice Polasek; sisters-in-law, Marlene Hillstead and Juliann Parsons; brothers-in-law, Tom (Edna), Del (Faye), and Wayne (Roberta) Windrum; sisters-in-law, Doreen (Bill) Robertson and Bev (Dick) Clarke; as well as Aunt Mabel Evert and Aunt Jean Rogers; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends old and new.

Special thanks is extended to the Palliative Care staff (at home and on the ward) who were so compassionate in providing Marion's care.

The Service of Celebration was conducted at the Regina Funeral Home (Highway #1 East) in Regina, Saskatchewan on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 2 pm. Pastor Mogens Jorgensen officiated at this Celebration of the life of Marion (Hillstead) Windrum. Cari Sauer was the organist, and Eunice Polasek shared the following eulogy:

Marion June entered this world on June 9, 1936, and made a 'very big impression' on arrival --- she weighed over 12 pounds at birth. She was a beautiful baby with a head full of very dark hair and was the fifth of seven children born to Ted and Bessie Hillstead. Waiting to welcome her were siblings, Harold, Roy, Glenna, and Ken, and a loving extended family of grandparents, aunts uncles and cousins.

As a child, Marion was full of mischief and was usually at the centre of whatever was happening. She was adventuresome and loved to have fun, so she approached everything with that in mind. While living on the farm, she had many opportunities to explore nature and challenge her surroundings. One day after we had spent time sliding feet first down a haystack, she decided it would be more fun if she went down head first, and ended up with a broken arm. It was her idea to hypnotize the chickens, to pour water down gopher holes, to play with or torment frogs and salamanders, and engineered all manner of games. She unintentionally started the farmyard on fire one day, and it was nothing short of a miracle that our Mom managed to put it out (with our little bit of help) before it turned into a raging prairie fire.

Marion was also my first teacher. She attended Norge, which was a one-room country school where a lone teacher was responsible for all grades. She took her grade 3 the year before I was to start school. She paid particular attention to what was being taught to the grade ones. Mom always chuckled when remembering how she would arrive home at the end of the school day, and say, "Come on, Eunice." We would then retire to some quiet corner where she would proceed to teach me that day's lessons. It was not surprising then that, since I had already taken Grade 1, I was immediately put into Grade 2 when I started school.

She was always a little mother to Morris and I. Since she was four years older than me, and six years older than Morris, she was "The Boss!" We had very little in the way of toys, but we had great imaginations. We played in the trees, and made mud pies iced with axle grease and decorated with the flowers of sweet clover. Our imaginations took us around the world in a broken old truck where Marion was always the driver, as the next oldest, I got to sit by the other window, and as the youngest, Morris was always stuck in the middle. Our Mom never had to worry about us two little ones, since Marion kept us occupied and entertained.

It was during her formative years that her love of family was nurtured. She, and three girl cousins were born within months of each other, and these girl cousins always had a special bond! There was much visiting back and forth with aunts and uncles and their families where each of us was made to feel special and important.

When she was only 16, having completed her Grade 10, she left home to venture out on her own. She moved to Regina, where she had a couple short-term jobs, and then settled in as an employee of Sask Power.

Marion soon met George, and they were married on June 12, 1954. Marion had just turned 18, and George was almost 20---only a couple of kids---but this union lasted over 55 years!

Their first home was a second floor suite in a private home. It wasn't long before they became home owners: they bought a very small house trailer. This holiday trailer had no water, or bathroom, and it was parked in the backyard at the home of George's parents. This is where they were living when Doug was born. It was cramped and cold, and their finances were stretched to the limit, so they often went a little hungry.

With a second baby on the way, this little trailer was soon sold so that they could finance a small, new two-bedroom house on Forget Street. This was where they were living when Cindy arrived. Doug was only 14 months old, so she had two babies on bottles, and two babies in diapers!

Although, they questioned the sanity of their next decision many times, and even though they knew nothing about carpentry, they decided to build a house in the new bedroom community of White City. So after, only three years of marriage, they packed up their meagre belongings and their two babies, and moved into it on the day the roof was closed in! I don't really think this was the kind of adventure that appealed to Marion---you know, stargazing through cracks in the roof from her bed. And she was already pregnant with Del. She was always a meticulous housekeeper, but keeping house was pretty difficult there: scrubbing wood planks on the floor, no cupboards or sink in the kitchen, etc. She didn't have to worry about washing walls for awhile---there were not any! When Del was born, Doug was just over two, and Cindy was thirteen months, so then she had three on the bottle, and three in diapers, and no conveniences! They eventually did get the house finished, and by then, it was time to move again!

It became financially necessary for Marion to return to work, and commuting with three little ones from a bedroom community was nearly impossible! Their White City home was sold, and they bought a small, older house on Arthur Street, and moved back into Regina.

Adventure beckoned again in 1964, and George decided to go into the funeral business in Innisfail, Alberta with his cousin, Stewart, and off they went to Alberta! In addition to their business, Marion worked in an Insurance office, and George drove taxi and school bus to make ends meet. It was a difficult life and after a few short years, the business was sold, and Marion and George moved their family back to Regina in January 1967. This is where they lived ever since.

Marion loved squirrels and made pets of them the last few years that they lived in their house on Grant Road. She had names for them, and even invited one or two into the house on occasion!

She particulary loved Christmas, and spent many hours preparing cards and letters, shopping and wrapping specially chosen gifts, trimming the tree and decorating the house, baking up a storm. Just in case she'd forget something, she'd keep track of it all with her many lists. On Christmas morning she would be up early to get the turkey, usually weighing at least 25 pounds, in the oven. Many dishes she served were traditions from year to year. The only reward she ever wanted was to see the pleasure her family derived from all her planning and hard work.

We're all here today because we've had some connection to Marion, as a member of her immediate or extended family, as a friend, as a colleague, as a neighbor, or you may be a friend or co-worker of one of her children or grandchildren.

She was a caring and supportive wife to George, a wonderful mother to Doug, Cindy and Del, a welcoming mother-in-law to Geri, Paul, and Carol, a loving and devoted Grandmother and Great-grandmother, a great homemake, a diligent employee, and a faithful friend.

My relationship with her was unique: she was not only my sister, but just about the best friend I ever had. We were always close, but for many years, life's responsibilities didn't leave a lot of time for us just to hang out together. Our retirements changed all that! We regularly enjoyed our shopping trips, and going out for lunch. We played Bunco and went for coffee with our girlfriends. Together, we were able to provide much support for our Mom in her final years of ill health. We shared so many good times, and encouraged each other through the sad and difficult ones. We also had more time to spend with our brothers and sister, and their families. These relationships have been very special to both of us.

Marion, George and I took many trips together, and always shared accomodations! George was usually the first one asleep at night, and the last to wake up in the morning. He could never get over the fact that we'd be talking when he went to sleep, and 'still talking' when he woke up. We'd also talk most of the time we were in the car about anything and everything! I never got tired of Marion's company---we had similar interests, and a common history which gave us many topics to discuss.

Anyone who has spent time around Marion will be familiar with her work ethic. When she was diagnosed with lung cancer, she approached it like she would any job she had to do: she made plans, and gathered her resources. After sharing this news, first of all with her own family, she called each of her brothers and sisters, and George's brothers and sisters. We were told that she couldn't handle this fight on her own, and that she would require everyone's love and support. She also made it clear to everyone with whom she spoke, that she wanted them to talk openly about the diagnosis and treatment, and to feel free to ask any questions that they may have.

She then proceeded to educate herself about lung cancer, and insisted on having copies of all her test results and scan reports. She needed to know what was happening in her body and wanted accurate information relayed to others. I never heard her question, "Why me?" As much as she accepted the diagnosis and probable outcome, she was prepared to fight it with all available treatments and hoped there would be some success as result of them.

Many of us here today have walked beside Marion and George and their family during this time. She was a real people person, and appreciated every visit, phone call, e-mail, prayer offered, or gesture of encouragement she received. Although she was ill herself, she never stopped being concerned about others and the struggles they may be having, be it a neighbor, friend or one of her many relatives. She has been an inspiration to many of us with her faith, her optimism, her sense of humor, and general good nature, and especially, the grace and peace with which she accepted her final struggle on this earth.

Marion didn't leave any particular message for us, but I think the following poem, which was penned anonymously, really expresses what she would want conveyed:

"LET ME GO"
We've known lots of pleasure, At times endured pain.
We've lived in the sunshine And walked in the rain.

But now we're separated And for a time apart,
But I am not alone- You're forever in my heart.

Death always seems so sudden, And it is always sure,
But what is oft' forgotten- It is not without a cure.

I'm walking now with Someone, And I know He'll always stay,
I know He's walking with you too, Giving comfort everyday.

There may be times you miss me, I sort of hope you do,
But smile when you think of me, For I'll be waiting for you.

Now, there's many things for you to do, And lots of ways to grow,
So get busy, be happy and live your life, Miss me, but let me go.