Sheila, we just heard of your mom's passing. We extend our deep sympathy. FLo, Laura, Deb and Rena are together tonight planning a  45th PT reunion for the long weekend in Aug. 2017. please contact me if you can. we have been unable to reach you by email. 
Rena.pearson@ sasktel.net

Good afternoon, my name is Michelle Parker.  We are honored to talk to you today about our Grandma Moats.  As many of you know we are Catherine's children.   On behalf of our family we want to thank you for all being here today.  

Grandma loved to have visits from family and friends and she would be so happy knowing we came together to celebrate her life.  Grandma was a big part of our lives especially when we were growing up.  She had many interests that influenced us and contributed to who we are. It was impressive to everyone how healthy she was and for how long.   The Doctors that I work with will sometimes note on a patient's chart patient appears younger than stated age.  This was our Grandma.  She had told me a couple of years ago that one of the Doctors she was seeing could not believe her age was written down correctly.  

This also reminds me of the Crokinole tournament my husband David and I host on boxing day.  Grandma played in this tournament and made it to the semi finals, which is 2 rounds further than I have ever gotten.  All of David's friends couldn't believe it when I told them how old she was.  She was accurate and agile to get down on the floor to make her best shot.  Grandma told me that when she returned home she found her old Crokinole board and started practicing for next year.  

I also remember calling her to see if she could come to Saskatoon for my daughter Ashley's dance recital.  She then listed all the things she had to do that week, but she managed to fit it in.  There was an incident while at Ashley's recital that demonstrated to me how truly healthy and strong my Grandma was.  While looking for her seat at the dance theatre Grandma tripped and fell down the stairs.  Keep in mind she was around 87 years old.  Most people would have broken a bone or at least be crying - but not our Grandma.  She got up and came and sat beside me and told me in an embarrassed tone that she couldn't believe she had just done that.  I said back to her in astonishment that I couldn't believe she just survived that.  To this day I remind my kids of this story if I'm trying to get them to finish their milk.  

When we were young we were excited to go to the farm for Christmas and one thing we looked forward to is Grandma's homemade chocolates.  In the last couple of years, we carried on this tradition of making chocolates with four generations; including Grandma, Mom, my daughter Ashley and me.  It was nice being able to visit as we made chocolaty treats and catching Grandma sampling some of them.  Grandma also gave us many gifts that she had knitted, crocheted, sewed or crafted. 

When we were little we thought that grandma looked like Queen Elizabeth.  We saw many parallels between them including that keep calm and carry on attitude, especially in difficult times.  Through her recollections it was clear that she was challenged by the loss of her mother and our grandpa, but these challenges also brought out a determination in her.  When her mother died she continued on with her teachers training, and when our grandpa passed away she remained on the farm, to carry on that legacy of hard work and family. 

Our grandma was a very strong person, who took a pride in what she did, and was able to raise 4 strong independent daughters.  One thing she leaves behind is a great example of how to persevere through life's challenges.  She loved visitors and spending time with her family, you might not have heard it from her, but she always talked to others about how proud she was of her family.  She got a lot of joy from her grandchildren and great grandchildren.   She found them entertaining and commented about how much energy they had and how much energy it must take to raise them! 

Our Grandma was a complicated person who like everyone had her faults, one of which was hiding zucchini in things.   She would always ask us to try something new she had made.  Such as, relish, marmalade, jam, cookies, cakes, and guess what was in it?  It took us many years before we realized, always answer zucchini!
 
For many of us the best memories we have of our Grandparents are when we are young. Being able to go visit Grandma at the farm was always exciting.  Whether it was playing in the old hired man's house, hiding in the giant trees in the garden, tinkering in the shop, playing in the camper, or just staying inside to play games and read books, there were unlimited activities at Grandma's house.  I must have read Snip, Snap and Snur a thousand times and never lost interest.    We loved to help out with chores on the farm. Whether it was caring for animals, gardening or helping out in the fields, there was also unlimited chores to be completed.  One of my favorites was going out in the morning to get milk and eggs.  This is something we have introduced to our kids.  My kids have been learning about animals in 4-H.  At my place in B.C., besides having cats and a dog, we have chickens, lambs, a bunny, and I feel like I am getting buttered up for goats.    

One of my best memories was getting to spend a good part of my summer at the farm with Grandma just after Grandpa passed away.  It made me feel special get to stay down at the farm by myself and it gave grandma someone to share her baking, gardening and take in tow to her activities.  At the end of the summer, Grandma gave me Grandpa's brush and hand saw for staying with her.  Both of these were things I really appreciated, but more importantly was just getting to spend that summer with her.  When I was really little Grandma would sit with me by the old record player a sing Teddy Bear's Picnic.  It must have driven her nuts with how many times we listened to that song.   I don't know if people remember the show The Dukes of Hazard, but my friend Andrew and I loved to pretend to be Bo and Luke Duke.  One time when Grandma was taking care of us she had t o be the bad Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane.   I bet Queen Elizabeth never did that!

One night I will never forget was when and Dad and I were driving home from the farm late at night, as usual and got into a rollover accident.  We had not driven very far and managed to get ourselves back to the farm.  Grandma and Grandpa got out of bed and checked us over to make sure we were ok.  Then they jumped into their car and drove us all the way back to Saskatoon in the middle of the night.   Grandma was able to remain independent and never stopped driving until she was 85.  

If you visited Grandma, you were assured to have an array of goodies out on display.  It was her own dainty buffet.  In addition, it also would include a tour of Grandma's flowers.  She always had an amazing amount of flowers that would spill out of her atrium into the rest of her house.

In the last couple years, Grandma started to lose some of her independence that we all were accustomed to for so many years.  On behalf of the grandchildren, we would like to thank Shirley for helping Grandma, which included many middle of the night hospital visits, many appointments, organizing visits when family were in town, and providing updates to our family regarding Grandma's health.

 Grandma your legacy is how you lived your life.  We learned through observing you.  We are grateful that you taught us self reliance, healthy/active living, too work hard, and be an active member in the community.  We are blessed you were out Grandma. We love you!

I am so sorry to learn of Isabella's passing. She was a wonderful neighbour and friend whom I first met when she and Hugh were passengers on a bus tour I was directing. I was away at the time of her passing and service so unable to attend but please know my thoughts are with you all. Who will I turn to for African Violet advice? Corilea

Our sincere condolences to all of Isabella's family. My husband Bert & I worked with Isabella & Leroy for years in the close Shorthorn cattle fraternity. Your mother and I always enjoyed discussing the origins of our names! We kept in touch as the decades went by,  and I had a wonderful letter from her just 2 years ago. Thinking of you all  ~ and her love and pride in your families and all your activities. Your words are a lovely tribute to a fine woman!  Most sincerely,

Sorry to hear of your mom's passing. I still have fond memories of the times I spent on your farm. From being woken up in the morning by stones rolling down the bunkhouse roof to giving Elaine rides in the wheelbarrow. Your mom was a great support to our family and will always be remembered.

- Brian Message

I will always remember the Shocked look she gave me after i helped her pick a row of raspberries on the farm and there were only 5 in the bucket.

To all my Moats cousins and their families,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your dear mother and grandmother. May all your happy memories bring you some measure of comfort at this difficult time. Know that you are in our thoughts. Love Jennifer and Barry Read

So sorry for your loss, Auntie Isobella was a very good example of what a mother should be, she kindly shared some of that warmth with me. Susan Grant

Thinking of you and your family through this time.Our thoughts are with you.Love from Aylmer Message and family

Catherine,Shirley,Sheila,Elaine and families
Sorry to hear of the loss of your mother, grandmother,and great grand- mother. Although we know she is in a place free of pain and suffering it saddens us that she is gone. We always enjoyed visiting with her.

The good lord gives us beautiful places when we leave here. Isabella is up there at her beautiful farm. She's working in her garden, little farm animals around her. I know her girls are missing her. When they were with their mom, there was always smiling and laughter. Isabella when she smiled, even her eyes were smiling. Yes she was truly a dear lady. I will miss my angel friend. Big hugs to her girls.

So sad to learn of your Mom's death, Shirley, Elaine & families. She will be missed a lot. We hope your memories will comfort you.
June & Dave Blau

Our sympathies to you Catherine & Elaine and families on the passing of your mother.

Hi Elaine

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in the fond memories you have of your mother.

Dick Johnson

So sorry to hear of your Moms passing.
We always enjoyed our visits with her.
Isobel & Alfred Fishley

OBITUARIO

Isabella Alexander Moats

11 junio, 1923 – 3 abril, 2016

Victoria Avenue Funeral Home and Cremation Centre

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