Marie Ellen Fieger

The family of Marie Fieger (nee Connor) announce her natural passing on August 18th, 2020 at the age of 101 years. We are filled with profound sorrow, but also gratitude knowing Marie lived a full and incredible life. Marie’s spirit is welcomed into the tender arms of Christ alongside her father John “Jack” Connor, mother Annie (nee Flynn), stepmother Catherine “Kate”, former guardians, Aunt Mary & Uncle Jack Healy, infant brother Patrick, brother Patrick, husband Peter Fieger, infant sons John & Francis, daughter Ann Walker, granddaughter Margaret Walker, great granddaughter Avea Harding and special friends and relatives in the extended Fieger, Connor & Flynn families, all of whom she loved dearly.

Marie (affectionately known as “GG” by her grandchildren), lived her values and was a devout Roman Catholic volunteering in Catholic Women’s League and Secular Franciscan organizations throughout her life. She was always humble, positive, and attended mass and prayed the rosary faithfully, and taught her children and grandchildren these values. Her fortitude and faith would carry her through the many adversities she faced in her lifetime.

The majority of Marie’s life was spent in Saskatchewan, beginning on the family homestead near the Hamlet of Demaine where she was born on June 26th, 1919. Immediately following her mother Annie’s tragic passing when Marie was 3 years of age, Marie was cared for by her mother’s sister, Mary, and her husband Jack Healy. At the age of 9 years, Marie returned to live with her father, Jack, and stepmother, Kate, until adulthood. Marie spoke often of the blessing of her little brother, Patrick, when Jack and Kate adopted him at 2 months of age.

Marie attended highschool in Demaine, and briefly lodged with the Demaine family, who the Hamlet is named for. GG made many friends across Saskatchewan while pursuing her vocation in teaching. She had an affinity for working with young children. She reminisced fondly how her pupils would follow her around the streets of Neasden, Bradwell and Cudworth, making her feel like “Old Mother Goose”.

While in Cudworth, Marie met the love of her life, Peter “Pete” Fieger. Pete was a young education student from the University of Saskatchewan, who moved to the Town in Spring of 1947 to complete his teacher’s training. Marie and Pete would match wits, interests and spirits becoming engaged on November 11th, 1947 and marrying July 8th 1948. The young couple’s careers would take them across the Province: Ravenscrag, Glentworth, Lancer, Cabri, and back to Beechy, where they were once again in close proximity to Marie’s family.

The 1950s would bring Marie many blessings. She and Pete were proud to raise their four children Catherine Ann, Peter Gerard, Gregory John and Mary Irene. With the exception of a year each in Unity, Saskatoon and Ottawa, Marie & Pete settled as a family in Regina, where she established many close friendships which she maintained throughout her lifetime. Marie remained active, walking a mile every day into her centenarian years. Enjoying their summers as teachers, Marie and Pete travelled across Eastern Canada with their family in order to attend Canadian Teachers Federation conferences, making many treasured memories along the way.

Marie’s life was filled with wonderful travel experiences to Cambridge, England (for husband Pete’s World Confederation of the Teaching Profession engagement) and various locations across the US. Galway, Ireland and Chicago, Illinois adventures allowed her to stay connected to her Connor cousins who she remained close with all these years. Later in life, Marie enjoyed European and Maritime travel with close in-laws. Marie spent many valued years with her son Peter and his family on Vancouver Island. This also gave her reprieve from the harsh Saskatchewan winters.

As her family grew, Marie welcomed her children’s spouses with loving arms and professed how proud she was of how hard they all worked to provide and care for their families. She cherished her later life with regular visits from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who always entertained with stories of their activities and adventures. GG loved to sing hymns with her choir friends and traditional Irish lullabies to her family. She refused to say “goodbye” on the phone for fear it would be the last and always signed her cards “with Love and Prayers”.

Marie’s 80s were given companionship by a little Yorkshire terrier puppy named, Toby. Though in her later years, her sight and hearing began to fail, her love for her family never wavered, which was evident by her uncanny spirit and energy to get out and about to join-in on family functions. Marie’s last decade was spent enjoying many friendships made through her participation in bridge, choir, mass, and various social activities while living at Wintergreene Estates. Marie was very happy with the supportive and loving environment provided by the Wintergreene staff; she was proud to call Wintergreene “Home”.

Marie is survived by her son-in-law Jim Walker, his wife Diane and their daughters Carla (Kevin Davies; children Ryan, Todd, Brad & Sarah) , Kirstie (Alberto Ortiz), and Aurlee; her son Peter, his wife Pauline & their two sons Nicholas (Adrianne Jenks) & Alexandre (Breanna Craven); her son Greg, his wife Brenda & their children Megan (Trevor Reichel; Rylie, Hunter), Erin (Magnum Kish; Kyver, Cayden & Myka Cormier), Aadon (Cheryl Verhelst; Zoey, Nola), and Kaitlyn (Chris Hebert; Braxton, Edwin, Veronica, Genevieve); and her daughter Mary, her husband Brad Herperger and their children Chelsea (Tyler Rydzik; Kash), Brittney (Ryan Harding; Jayce, Beckham, Bodhi), Sean (Brittany Sanford), and Braden (Brooke King; Camden, Charlotte).

Immediate family will gather at Marie’s Funeral Mass at Christ the King Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday August 22, 2020. Her memorial slideshow will commence at 10:30 AM and the eulogy will immediately follow Mass. The link for the livestream will be on Christ the King’s website www.christtheking.ca and can also be found by visiting the YouTube website: https://youtu.be/_Iw3ITfDTeE