Henrietta "Hattie" Janna Fuchs

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Henrietta (Hattie) Janna Fuchs, of Saskatoon, SK on May 24, 2013 at the age of 95 years. Hattie was born on June 23, 1917 in the Meeting Lake district. Hattie was one of three girls born to Adrian and Grietje van Dyke.

Hattie leaves behind to forever cherish her memory her children: Rita (Vince) Wright of Regina, SK; Norma (Willie) Briskar of Saskatoon, SK; grandchildren: Jeff (Arlene) Wright, Tracy Briskar (Lyle), Denise (Brook) Davis, Cara (Wayne) Mazurak; 8 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Hattie is predeceased by her parents Adrian and Grietje van Dyke; husband August Fuchs; sisters Janna Cowell and Margaret Bassingthwaite.

EULOGY

We are here to celebrate the life of Hattie Fuchs, who was a mother, grandma, great grandma, sister, daughter, aunt and a great friend. She was kind and unselfish and had a great sense of humour. We are all so fortunate that she was a part of our lives. She was an inspiration to many of us, and always had something kind and thoughtful to say.

Hattie was born on June 23, 1917 at the farm home at Meeting Lake. She had two sisters Margaret and Janna. She attended Meeting Lake School and in 1943 married August Fuchs. They had two daughters Rita and Norma and made their home on a farm near her parents for 8 years before moving to Mullingar in 1951 and then back to the home farm in 1954. At that time they operated the country store and post office until 1967 when they moved to North Battleford. Grandpa passed away in 1975 and grandma continued to live in North Battleford until she bought a condo in Saskatoon in May of 1999. Grandma’s days were always very busy with baking, cleaning, shopping, gardening, visiting or helping others.

I had such a fun time with my grandma and would spend weeks at a time staying with her in North Battleford. We would shop, visit Aunty Margaret and Uncle Bert and play lots of card games and Yahtze. I would try to cheat in Yahtze, but she was too smart and always figured it out that I was taking extra turns. I thought I could pull one over on her but it never worked, she was always too quick and wise for me. And who could forget the UNO card game that Tracy, Jeff, Denise and I played with Grandma until 4 a.m. We, of course, had to continue waking her up, but we all know Grandma, she enjoyed games and spending time with the grandchildren.

There were so many times that I could tell her different things that I couldn’t tell anyone else, and she never ever judged me. She wasn’t the type to judge anyone, she just loved us all. Also many times people would tell me that I talked too much, but my Grandma in the 41 years that she was part of my life, never told me that, she just sat and listened. I still remember the many times when I was much younger grandma would refer to me as a “Bull in a China Shop”, and since many of you know what I was like as a kid, and well maybe even as an adult, that still may be true. She was probably right in calling me that as she knew me so well.

It didn’t matter if you had just met grandma or knew her a long time; she was always quick to offer you a meal or some of her baking. She always looked forward to people coming for a visit, but most of the time she was so busy making sure that everyone was comfortable and had enough to eat that she seldom took the time to sit down and visit for very long. She loved to have people come and have coffee and visit with her. Her door was always open to anyone that wanted to stop in or needed a place to stay.

We spent so many birthdays, Christmas’s and many special occasions with her. She always wanted to be with everyone and we loved having her with us.

While living at her condo in Saskatoon, which was just across the street from a shopping mall, she would walk over to the mall daily and shop for hours or enjoy a coffee with friends in the food court. If she saw something on sale, and knew she didn’t really need it, she would still buy it as she would think, “Gee, I should buy it as it is a good sale and maybe one of the kids could use it”. She was always thinking of everyone else before herself.

Even when she was in her 80’s she would stay up all night and watch Telemiracle and then wonder why she was so tired the next day - she enjoyed listening to the music and watching the entertainment. I remember going to visit Grandma and her table was usually full with papers and pictures that she spent so many hours looking at. It was also amazing to me that at 90 years old she was still balancing her cheque book to the penny.

It was just in the past 3 or 4 years that the quality of life started to change. In April 2011, at the age of 94, she took a fall in her condo and it was then she lost a lot of her independence and moved to a Personal Care Home. Her mind was still well enough that she wanted to do so many things on her own, but her failing sight, hearing and aging body just couldn’t do the things her mind wanted to do. It was difficult for her not to be able to do the things she liked to do all her life.

For many years she would come to Mom and Dad’s for supper every Sunday and looked forward to that, she always commented that Norma made the best meals. Only once did she complain that the carrots were a little too crunchy and wondered if my mom had forgot to cook them. Since then, mom is always questioned about her cooked carrots “Would grandma like them today?”

Grandma’s health was generally very good for her whole life. She had lost the sight in her left eye many years ago and then in July 2012, after an unsuccessful eye surgery to relieve the pressure, she lost all sight in her right eye too. Being blind was frustrating for her but as time went on it was amazing the things she, in her own mind, could see. It would amaze my dad when we would visit her and she’d say to him “The weather is really nice today” – the sun would be shining and it was almost as though she really could see again. After losing her sight she was very fortunate to move into St. Ann’s Nursing Home. This was her home for the last 10 months and she was loved and cared for exceptionally well by all who worked there. They loved her and enjoyed the very interesting stories she told. They described her as a feisty and strong-willed lady.

We began to notice changes each week as we visited with her and we could see her health was deteriorating. But she would always brighten up our visits and say “I’ve had such a good life and I really have nothing to complain about”. Some days when she was frustrated, it was hard, but I always tried to make her smile and she would tell me that she didn’t know how to smile. She had such an amazing smile.

Even in her last days, she was still funny and I reminded her of that and how much I loved her. One day in her own imagination she told us she saw kids out in the middle of the street and she was telling them all to come back, they all came back, but one. I asked her who wouldn’t come back, and she said “Oh, it’s Cara.” My mom and dad and I smiled about this.

There were many times in the last few years that were extremely hard and frustrating for us to see her go through. She was still a strong willed woman, even without her sight and hearing. She mentioned many times that she wished that she could see us, and I always told her that we weren’t that good looking anyways, so… she wasn’t missing much. There were also times when she didn’t know who was visiting her but still liked to talk with whoever was with her.

In her last hours that she was with us, she was trying to talk, she couldn’t tell us what she wanted to and that was extremely difficult. We knew that she was just telling us thank you and that she loved us. We held her hands and knew that we were with her in her last hours; even then she was still amazing. I told her that she didn’t have to say anything and that it was okay because I could talk for at least 7 people. At that point I think there was a little sparkle and smile on Grandma’s face because she knew that that was so true.

On the morning of Friday, May 24 it was shortly after her caregivers gave her a bath she closed her eyes and slipped away from us. It seems really ironic that Grandma always had to have a bath before going anywhere. I’m hoping she is enjoying the things that were taken away from her like her sight, hearing and being able to walk around. Grandma I hope you are enjoying life now the way that you used to.

I honestly thought that I would be prepared and ready to let Grandma go, but I wasn’t. The time seemed to go by too quickly. I am missing you so much Grandma, and I will always love you with all of my heart.

On behalf of the family, we would like to thank each and every one of you who stopped in to visit her so many times and sent her cards, letters and pictures. She appreciated this so much. Also thanks to everyone here today for being a special part in my grandma’s life. She was one amazing lady that we will always remember.

Deep in our hearts you’ll always stay

Loved and remembered every day

The family wishes to extend special thanks to all staff at St. Ann’s Senior Citizen’s Village, Dr.Tymchak, Baraka Care Home and Dr. Vassos for the loving care they gave our mom. Your kindness and compassion shown is very much appreciated.

A Service of remembrance was held on Friday May 31, 2013 from the Chapel of Sallows and McDonald-Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home with Reverend Sheldon Gattinger officiating. Interment took place at the City of North Battleford Cemetery. If friends so desire, donations in Hattie’s memory may be made to the CNIB or charity of one’s choice.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie Doyle of Sallows and McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home. (306) 445-2418