Obituary of Helen Mayo

Helen †œDoreen† of Hazenmore, SK passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2014, at the age of 89 years, at the Foyer d†™ Youville in Gravelbourg, SK with family by her side. Doreen was born July 29, 1924 to Joseph and Elizabeth (nee Walsh) Burgess, at Portlaw County, Waterford, Ireland. She spent her early years in Keston, Kent, England, and moved to London, England shortly before the war started. Doreen met Rex Mayo of Hazenmore, SK when he was serving overseas during the war. Doreen and Rex were married in London on February 22, 1943 and they were blessed with four children, John, Reg, Helen and Michelle. Doreen lived in London throughout the blitz, and was fortunate that their home was never damaged; during this time Rex was stationed in France and Belgium. After the war, Doreen crossed the ocean with her two young sons to join Rex at his home in Canada. They traveled on the Queen Mary to Halifax, NS, and then by train to Regina, SK. Doreen enjoyed the spectacular scenery as the family made their way to Hazenmore, where Rex farmed with his brothers. Doreen adjusted to life on the farm, and learned to milk the cows and do chores. She also learned how to can, and enjoyed canning fruit, vegetables, chicken and beef. Doreen had many fond memories of the farm; the first crocus' of spring, Angllican Church picnics held at the farm, and Saskatoon berry picking expeditions with close neighbours and friends, the Anderson family. Rex passed away in 1971, and shortly after Doreen began working at Kouri†™s Market in Ponteix. She later became manager at the Hazenmore Co-op Store, where she worked for twenty-two years. When Doreen retired she made a long awaited trip back to England. It had been fifty-one years since she had last been in England, and felt that her trip there was a fabulous combination of wonder and nostalgia. She enjoyed fishing trips to Meadow Lake with her family, always making sure to include their family dog, bridge games with friends, curling, reading, and good humour (especially Seinfeld)! She was an excellent cook and baker, renowned for her bread, buns, cinnamon buns and cream puffs. She cared for her family and friends with unselfish devotion, unwavering resilience, and an unparallelled love for life. She will forever be missed. Love you more mom! She is survived by her son John (Bonnie); son Reg (Bea); daughter Michelle (Tim); grandchildren: Jacalyn (Jim) and her mother Eileen, Nicole (Chad) and Natasha (Jeff) and their father Lyle, Geoff (Kendall) and Tyler (Melissa) and their mother Linda; great grandchildren Tyler, Jesse, McKenna, Caiden, Bryce, Brody; granddogs Hawksley, Ivy, Hope, Chopper, Rico and Ozzie. She was predeceased by her husband Rex (1971); beloved daughter Helen (1993); three sons in infancy, Geoff, Gary and Robert; parents Joseph and Elizabeth; much loved dogs and granddogs. Celebration of Life was held on Saturday, July 26, 2014, at 1:00 p.m., at the Hazenmore Memorial Hall, with Laura Balas officiant. Tribute was shared by Lois Toye. Urn bearer was John Mayo. Honorary pallbearers were †œEveryone who shared in Doreen†™s life.† Memorial donations in memory of Doreen to the Hazenmore Club 29, c/o Grant Verbrugge, Box 180, Kincaid, SK S0H 2J0, were greatly appreciated.