Marlene Ethel Devine

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Marlene Devine (nee Brown), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend, who left us peacefully on April 1, 2025, at the age of 91 surrounded by family at Helping Hands PCH in Grenfell, Saskatchewan.

Marlene’s life was defined by boundless love, unwavering strength and a fierce commitment to family and community.

Born in 1934 in Wolseley, Saskatchewan during the dust bowl and economic hardship of the 30s and the buildup to World War II, Marlene’s early years were shaped by the profound challenges and uncertainties of a world at war. Raised in a large family, she was the oldest daughter in a household of seven children. Much of the responsibility for caring for her younger siblings fell on her shoulders, particularly after her mother left the family when Marlene was just twelve. Despite these hardships, Marlene grew into a courageous, adventurous young woman. Her three older brothers taught her to whistle, skate and embrace the challenges life threw her way.

Sports played a significant role in Marlene’s early years. She excelled in track and field, figure skating, curling, and swimming in the Wolseley Dam. Her passion and dedication to athletics led to her induction into the Saskatchewan Rural Sports Hall of Fame, an honour that recognized her exceptional achievements and spirit.

In 1952 Marlene married Lawrence Devine and they moved to Regina where she worked at McGavin’s Bakery for five years. In 1955, together they returned to the Devine family farm where Marlene embraced the demanding life of a farmer. She raised three children while co-managing the farm—gardening, hauling grain, raising pigs, chickens, Polled Herefords and turkeys and preparing three meals a day for her family, the farmhands, relatives, neighborhood kids and anyone else that came to the farm! She did it all with remarkable grace, tireless energy and a deep sense of responsibility.

In 1978 Marlene’s life took a sudden and challenging turn when she became completely blind due to optic nerve tumors. True to her character, she faced this obstacle with remarkable resilience. Marlene continued to run the farm with Lawrence, care for her family and find joy in life’s simple pleasures, never allowing her blindness to define her.

Marlene’s love for figure skating never waned. She went on to teach and coach figure skating at the Lemberg rink, producing many spectacular skating carnivals filled with lights, curtains and stunning costumes. Her passion for skating was matched by her love for baking, particularly pies. In the early 1980s Marlene and Lawrence became vendors at the Fort Qu’Appelle Farmers Market, where Marlene’s canned goods, preserves and famous pies became legendary. Even though she was blind and lost Lawrence in 1995, Marlene continued to work at the market and bake her beloved pies until her retirement at the age of 86.

Marlene was a true force of nature—a woman whose strength, love and resilience impacted everyone she met. Her legacy lives on in the lessons she taught us about perseverance, kindness and embracing life fully, no matter the challenges. And competition - Marlene loved to win. The Yahtzee games were legendary!

Marlene was predeceased by her husband Lawrence Devine in 1995.

She is survived by her children: Cynthia (Louie), Jeff (Jody) and Katherine (George); her grandchildren: Jessica (Dave), Aidan, Mason and Gage and her great-grandchildren Bryxli and Korbyn.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude for the compassionate care provided by Alyssa, Crystal, and the team at Grenfell Helping Hands PCH.

A celebration of Marlene’s life took place in Trinity Lutheran Church, 127 Martin Street, in Lemberg, Saskatchewan on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Pastor Lorne Bonk. A luncheon followed in the Lemberg Community Complex. After the reception family and friends were invited to join the family at the graveside service at 4:30 p.m. in the Ellisboro Cemetery, where Marlene’s ashes were laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Give Kids a Chance Charity Inc. (Charitable Reg. No. 80411 8677 RR0001), 1870 Lorne Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2L7.