Tillie Rose Pinel

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Tillie Rose Pinel, beloved wife of Rene Pinel and mother of Melissa Janis, announce her passing on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the age of 83 years. She leaves to cherish her memory their only child, Melissa (Jared) Janis; two grandchildren, Adelyn and Ryker; one brother Gerald (Linda) Erker; two sisters, Theresa (Carson) Rine, and Anna Gamble, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and cherished cousins and friends. Tillie was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Roy Erker, six sisters, Frances, Elizabeth, Katherine, Eleanor, Cecilia, and Margaret and one brother, Vincent. Born in Leader, Saskatchewan on October 17, 1939, Tillie was the fourth eldest of eleven children born (twins died at birth) to Roy and Elizabeth Erker. She attended school at Liebenthal where the Ursuline Sisters taught. They had to travel four miles by horse and buggy in the summer and by sleigh in the winter. Other times, her dad would drive them to school. Tillie attended mass at Sacred Heart Church in Liebenthal and sang in the choir. In 1962 Tillie's mom passed away at the age of 48. Tillie missed her very much, as she worked with her mother learning how to cook, keep house, and garden. Tillie’s dad passed away in 1987 at the age of 78. Tillie joined the C.W.L. in Liebenthal in 1962. In 1963, Roy Erker and the children moved to Leader, SK. In Leader, Tillie worked at home, babysat, did housework for other people, and worked at the old folks home as the 3rd cook. Later on Tillie went to Regina and worked as a holiday replacer in the Grey Nuns hospital doing housekeeping, took adult education classes, worked as a housekeeper for Fr. Sullivan at St. Peter's Church, and as a checker at Bregg Dry Cleaners. In 1970 Tillie moved to Swift Current and started working as a housekeeper for Fr. Folk at St. Michael's Parish.

Tillie met Rene Pinel in 1976 when Rene's Val Marie Square Dancing Club traveled to the Swift Current Single Square Dancing Club that Tillie was part of. They married July 2, 1977, in Swift Current. She joined him in Val Marie with his farming and livestock operation and raised their daughter Melissa who was born in 1981.

Tillie was active with the Catholic Church in Val Marie and the C.W.L. In the fall of 1999 Rene and Tillie sold the farm and livestock and moved to Saskatoon. In Saskatoon Tillie was active with the Catholic Church and the Briarwood Community. Tillie loved to bowl and had many trophies to show for it, she also loved playing cards especially Solitaire. Rene and Tillie had also been able to do more traveling than when they were on the farm, which Tillie enjoyed very much.

In 2017, Tillie's health was declining, diagnosed with Parkinson's she would slowly lose her mobility and balance. In early 2018 she was admitted to St. Ann's Home Long Term Care. Shortly after they would sell the house so Rene could move into the St. Ann's Residence Apartments, closer to Tillie. Tillie was active in the care home activities, especially bingos (winning chocolate bars). Tillie regularly participated in planting the flowers in the garden outside of St. Ann's. Tillie had strong Christian beliefs and would attend mass at St. Ann's Chapel with Rene. When Tillie was unable to attend, Rene would bring communion to her.

Tillie was a devoted wife and cared for Rene until being admitted to St. Ann's. Rene misses her home cooked meals and baking and her hard work.

She will be dearly missed by all.

Family and friends will gather for the Vigil of Prayer at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 24, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. Both services will be at Holy Spirit Parish (114 Kingsmere Place, Saskatoon) with Fr. Marvin Lishchynsky as Celebrant. Rite of Committal to follow the reception at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan or Parkinson Canada.

Arrangements entrusted to Aime Laventure.