Stella Irene Shaver (nee Gravelle) passed away peacefully at the Bengough Health Centre on Sunday April 18th, 2021 at the age of 91 years. Predeceased by her husband of 70 years Norman Wilfred Shaver, her daughter Darcy Jean Shaver, grandson Randy Aaron Shaver, son-in-law Lyle Blackmore, parents Milton and Lucille Gravelle, sisters Margaret (Tony) Albers, Jean (Carl) Knutson, brother Clifford (Helen) Gravelle, parents-in-law Jay and Jean Shaver, brothers-in-law Harvey (June) Shaver, Archie (Stella) Shaver, Bob (Ilene) Shaver, Ken (Barbara) Shaver, daughter-in-law Marlene Joan Shaver.
Stella is survived by four children Randy Norman (Marina), Janet Joan Blackmore, Monty Jay (Valerie), Corry Scott (Gina), brother Calvin Gravelle, sister Claire (Don) Rose, 14 grandchildren Amy (Tim), Nathan (Kendall), Beccy (Rodger), Charity (Doug), Sara (Dez), Logan (Rose), Jordan, Dixy, Cody, Roxy (Brent), Jeff, Kimberlee, Cody and Carly, 15 great grandchildren, Chelsea, Wyatt, Clay, Riley, Parker, Sierra, Brooklyn, Eryn, Robert, Stella, Cohen, Daniel, Judah, Owen, and Jolene.
Stella was born September 13th, 1929 in Bengough Hospital, the 5th of 6 children and grew up in the Waniska School District north of Big Muddy Lake. She always said she had good parents and wonderful memories of growing up. Stella and Norman met each other at Waniska, they both moved to Regina, dated and were married January 10th, 1948. Stella worked for Simpson Sears, and Norman started his own construction company, he built a new house for them. After living in Regina five years they were happy to move down to Norman’s parents’ farm. Stella loved to be back living with tree lanes, gardens and flowers. Ten years later (1962) they bought their own place and moved their house onto a barren field beside a dam. This was the beginning of what they lovingly referred to as the Briar Patch. Together they planted many trees, lawns, gardens and flowers creating a prairie paradise. The grandchildren and great grandchildren especially loved to visit with tree lanes, flowers, swimming hole with a diving board, dock and small boat. An apple tree had been planted, flourished and many family, friends and neighbors had a piece of Stella’s apple pie or apple sauce for desert. Stella had a green thumb and her flower gardens were a showplace for family and many others who visited. Norman built her a greenhouse and she grew flowers and vegetables for their family and many others. Every fall from her large garden she would give over half the produce to anyone who wanted it. Stella loved animals as much as Norman so there was always a dog, a cat and horses who were part of the family. Stella was very creative, she arranged flowers, created unique ornaments from her ceramics and craft materials selling at craft sales as well as in Banff to stores for the tourists. She also gave ceramic classes and many attended. Stella even drove school bus when Norman was busy working his construction business or farming. She was a busy woman, but she and Norman always had time to stop and put on the coffee pot for the many people who often dropped in.
At 91, Stella could still see without glasses and loved to look at old family pictures. She could name every one of her 22 classmates in a picture taken when she was eleven years old. Her hearing was good and she had no trouble talking. Stella was kind to caregivers as they were to her. She complimented them and joked with them. She would ask if they could drive this thing, meaning her wheelchair. In the last while she may not have recognized visitors, but was always happy to see them.
She loved the home her and Norman created together and most importantly her family. Her children and grandchildren were everything to her.
Special thanks from our family to all the caregivers and those who visited and helped her since going into the Home in 2014. Also we would like to thank relatives, friends and neighbors who helped in later years which allowed Stella and Norman to stay on their farm as long as possible.
Private service will be held. Donations in memory of Stella can be made to The Twilight Home Auxiliary, P.O. Box 437, Bengough, SK S0C 0K0.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Shaver family may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com
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