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Lois Mae McIntyre April 2, 1936 to January 7, 2021 Lois Mae (nee Swanson) McIntyre was born April 2, 1936. She was the youngest of four and only daughter to Lillie and Elmer Swanson of Mair, SK.
Lois grew up on the family farm with her older brother Irvin and attended Swanson school until the fall of 1944 when the family moved to Maryfield. After graduating from Maryfield School, she attended secretarial school in Regina and found employment with a Regina law firm. In October 1958, she moved to Kerrobert to work for another law firm. She returned to Regina in April, 1961 and was employed at Balfour Technical School.
It was in Regina where she met a handsome young farmer, Gordon McIntyre of Tyner, SK, who was attending college. They were married on July 26, 1963, in Maryfield and then made their home on the McIntyre family farm where Gordon continued farming with his dad and brother Wilmot. They raised three daughters, Sandra, Pamela, and Nancy, as well as cared for her mother Lillie Swanson who came to live with the family in the fall of September 1966 after her husband passed away. When Gordon began to work full time with Merlin Norris in Eston painting and wallpapering, he retired from farming and the family made the move to Eston in the fall of 1975.
While living on the farm, Lois was involved with the Tyner Town & Country Club and taught Sunday School at the Lacadena United Church. After the move to Eston, Lois began working part-time for the Wheatland Plus 50 Club in 1980 as their coordinator and in September 1982 was hired as Secretary/Treasurer for St. Andrew’s United Church until retiring in 2001. She served on the St. Andrew’s United Church Board, Plus 50 Club board and participated in the Bowling League. The one organization she enjoyed the most was the Order of the Eastern Star. She initiated at Kerrobert Chapter #137 in January of 1961 and was a very dedicated member of Bethel #66 at Kyle and Queen Alexandra #84 at Kindersley. When Gordon joined in 1972, they spent many miles travelling and attending chapter meetings and social events throughout the province and the states.
Lois’s hands were always busy. She spent many hours sewing clothes for her daughters, doing embroidery work, jigsaw puzzles, playing Solitaire (with a deck of cards) and puzzle books. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed making amazing pies. In the spring and summer she would be outside helping Gordon with the planting and caring for the garden and busy in the fall canning fruit, pickles and jams.
Family was very important to her and she was always there in the many family celebrations held. Trips were made down east, to the west coast and Spokane, Washington visiting cousins on both sides of the family, and travelling to Maryfield and Alberta visiting her brothers and their families. She was always there as a “second mom” to her nieces and nephews when needed; proud of her daughters; thought the world of her son-in-law Anthony; and when Gordon’s health began to fail she never complained but did what she could for him to remain at home. Her two greatest blessings were her granddaughters, Abbie and Kelsey. She loved and adored those girls with all her heart. Attending playschool and kindergarten graduations, dance competitions and recitals, ball games and Christmas school concerts were highlights through the year. She enjoyed the weekends spent with Abbie and looked forward to her “Kelsey Day” when Anthony would go into the city. After caring for her husband for several years, she accompanied her children and niece Heather to Disneyland in December 2012.
Being diagnosed with dementia and not able to be in her home, she moved to Eston Jubilee Lodge in November 2017. With her daughter Sandra at her side, she passed away peacefully on January 7, at the age of 84.
Lois was predeceased by her husband Gordon (Aug. 20, 2011); parents Elmer (1966) and Lillie (1986) Swanson; brothers Melvin (1924) and Raymond (1992), and sisters-in-law Kay (1999) Swanson and June Swanson (1973); nephew Clarence Swanson (2009); mother- and father-in-law Herbert (1971) and Winnifred (1982) McIntyre; sisters- and brothers-in-law Lenor (1979) and Don (1989) McIntyre, Helen (1996) and Wilmot (1993) McIntyre, Norma (2009) and Bill (1993) Neil, Glenn McIntyre (1940).
She will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by her daughters Sandra McIntyre (Kindersley), Nancy McIntyre (Saskatoon), Pamela and husband Anthony Hoffart (Fox Valley); her two precious granddaughters Abbie and Kelsey Hoffart (Fox Valley); brother Irvin and sister-in-law Penny Swanson (Arrowwood, AB); three nephews, nine nieces and all their families and several cousins.
Due to Covid-19, a private graveside service with her family and several neighbours and friends was held at the Eston Cemetery on January 15 with Rev. Barb MacNaughton officiating. Active Pallbearers were her son-in-law Anthony Hoffart, nephew Norman McIntyre and neighbours Bob McCloskey and Dale Harpestad. Honorary Pallbearers were her nieces and nephews and all their families. Musical selections chosen were “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” (Elvis Presley), “I’ll Be” (Reba McEntire) and “Eagle When She Flies” (Dolly Parton).
A Celebration of Life Tea will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations were made to St. Andrew’s United Church, Eston. Kindersley Funeral Home & Crematorium were entrusted with the arrangements.
Rest in peace Lois, Mom, Grandma, Auntie Lois. This disease may have robbed your memory, but it never robbed the love in your heart you had for all of us, and we -- your brother, sister-in-law, children, granddaughters, nieces and nephews -- will always treasure your memory and love in our hearts forever.
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