Obituary of Vera Saunders

Saunders, Vera Dorinda Anne October 3, 1930 - December 31, 2010 Vera Dorinda Anne passed away peacefully in the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Friday December 31, 2010 at the age of 80 years. Vera will be remembered and loved by her husband of 55 years, Wes; children, Robert (Kristine), David (Cathy), Leanne (Bob Shandera), Darren (Bonnie) and Warren (Anna-Marie) as well as 12 grandchildren, Tyler, Kirstin, Gage, Baron, Ashley, Morgan, Landon, Michael, Jaden, Jack, Brock and Ava-Marie. Vera also leaves one sister Lois Banks of Edmonton. Vera was predeceased by her son Neil, on December 26, 1981 whom she now joins in heaven. Vera was extremely talented, caring and a loving woman. Her many friends and family will miss her musical talents and generous spirit. Her greatest delights were to play piano, sing in harmony and spend time with her family. Vera (Mom) was born to Dorinda Anne Sturdy, a school teacher, and Ernest Albert Stonehouse, a CN Railway Engineer, on Oct 3, 1930 in Edmonton, AB. As a youth, Mom enjoyed reading, cycling, speed skating, tennis and her dog, "Pal" and her cat "Tippy". She loved to sew, do petit point and took piano lessons. Mom always loved the sound of a train whistle because this meant her Dad was arriving home from work. In 1942 she moved to Mirror, AB as her father was transferred with the CN railway. She moved back to Edmonton to finish High School and then went directly to Nursing Training where she graduated from the Royal Alexandra Hospital as a Registered Nurse in 1952. Vera worked on the Women's Medical Ward, Children's Ward, the Women's Surgical Ward and finally the Men's surgical ward as Assistant Head Nurse. In 1953 Vera decided to move to Hamilton after accepting a position on the Men's Surgery ward at the Hamilton General Hospital, close to where her sister Ernestine lived. Vera was asked to open the hospital's first Recovery Room where she was kept very busy. She became a Hamilton Tiger Cat Football Fan and attended many home games. While working in Hamilton she was able to visit New York and Montreal plus visit relatives and close friends in Ontario. During this exciting time in Vera's life she was also introduced to a handsome young radio broadcaster on a blind date. This introduction blossomed into a friendship and love that would last a lifetime. While Mom and Dad were dating in Hamilton her nursing career also started to evolve. Vera was offered the position of Head Nurse on the Men's Surgical Ward but she wanted to return west to the Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton to continue nursing. Dad decided he would also move west with mom and pursue his radio career. She returned to work full-time at the Royal Alex until 1956 at which time she became a full-time mom. Mom and Dad were married on June 4th, 1955 in Edmonton. They spent their honeymoon camping through Banff and Jasper in their little Morris Miner car. This is something Mom always reminisced about. In 1962, Dad had accepted a new job with CKSA in Lloydminster. Lloydminster was quite a change from the City of Edmonton. Mom and Dad moved to Lloydminster with Rob, Dave, Leanne and Neil. Eventually 2 more sons, Darren and then Warren were born. Mom was always selfless, nurturing, encouraging, supportive, and a great listener. She always put everyone else first. She never wanted anyone to make a fuss over her. She had amazing inner strength. Our mom was first and foremost an extremely devoted wife to our dad and devoted mother to her children. Her family was, above all, the most important thing to her. She treasured her children and grandchildren and never missed many events that we were involved in. Mom was always proud to hear about her grandchildren's accomplishments. Mom thoroughly enjoyed her years as a singing member of the Lloydminster Chapter of Sweet Adelines. Sweet Adelines is a woman's performing and competition group that is sung in four part harmony. She went on to be the Director of the Lloydminster Chapter from 1982 to 1997 and continued singing with a quartet for special occasions. She also enjoyed being a member of the United Church Choir, the Bell Choir and playing piano for students in competition festivals. There are a couple of phrases that convey Mom's spirit and they fittingly involve Mom's love for music. They are: "Harmonize the World", and "Sing like there's nobody listening!" Mom and Dad were inseparable. There were very few times our parents were apart. It was a 55 year marriage based on love, devotion and commitment. A wonderful example of what a marriage should be. Mom, we will truly miss you. We will love you always. A celebration of Vera's life was held at the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Harold Martin officiating. A eulogy was given by Warren Saunders. The Grace United Church Choir, the Grace United Bell Ringers and the Sweet Adelines were in attendance performing "On Eagles Wings", accompanied on the piano by Linda Anderson. Hymns sung were "Joyful, Joyful" and How Great Thou Art" accompanied on the organ by Irene Knowlson. The honorary pallbearers were the Nurses Honor Guard. The family would like to thank her friends who were involved in Vera's life. Thanks also, to all of those who visited, sent flowers, cards and supportive phone calls. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Donations in Vera's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Lloydminster Region Health Foundation or the Grace United Church. Wes Saunders & Family