Obituary of Eileen Margaret Spence

SPENCE~Eileen Margaret Spence passed away in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Saturday, January 2, 2016, at the age of 90 years. Eileen leaves to mourn: four sons: Rodney (Maxine) Spence of Okotoks, Alberta, Wayne (Joyce) Spence of Widewater, Alberta, Merlyn (Beverley) Spence of Calgary, Alberta, and Neil (Melanie) Spence of Marwayne, Alberta; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great grandchildren; one brother: Jack (Pauline) Tyner of Streamstown, Alberta: two brothers-in-law, Jim and Gordon Hozack of Streamstown, Alberta, and numerous other relatives and friends. Eileen was predeceased by her parents, John and Elsie Tyner, her brother, Bob Tyner, and her four sisters, Mary Bareson, Norah Sked, Muriel Hozack and Doreen Hozack. The Funeral Service for Eileen was conducted from the Marwayne Alliance Church on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. with her son Merlyn Spence, officiating. Evan Spence and Jaime Pagé prepared and read the Eulogy. The singing of the two hymns: In the Garden and Peace in the Valley, was led by Ella Kent, Janet McLennan and Miriam Doull and accompanied by Sandra Kneen. Colleen Hozack also sang, as a solo, We Have this Moment Today. The Recessional was Danny Boy by Daniel O’Donnell. All eleven grandchildren: Evan Spence, Danelle Spence, Jaime Pagé, Ty Spence, Jordy Spence, Kendra Lake, Colin Spence, Craig Spence, Jason Spence and Tyler Spence were the designated pallbearers. The Interment was held in the Streamstown Cemetery with a reception held in the Streamstown Hall afterwards. Eileen was born on February 15, 1925 in Lloydminster and spent the first twenty-two years of her life in the Streamstown area of Alberta. Growing up on a small mixed farm in the 1920's and 1930's was hard, but she had a very enjoyable childhood with her family and extended family all living in the same area. School, track events and working on the farm filled her and her family’s days. In 1947, she met and married Dale Spence and they worked and lived at various locations in Alberta and British Columbia before settling in Grand Center, Alberta. There, they raised their four sons, first in town and later on a small farm and became an integral part of a very small community, participating in Kinsmen and Kinette activities, baseball, curling, scouting and cards and games. Eileen worked in various clerical jobs in town, but reserved her special affections for her job at the post office at the local air force base. Eileen participated whole heartedly in all these activities and was always willing to organize, as well as provide labour, whether the activity involved herself, her husband or her boys. And during all those activities, she had fun. After the boys were grown, Eileen and Dale moved back to the Lloydminster area for their retirement years. Neil and Melanie Spence also lived in the area and provided the extra care that both Eileen and Dale required in the last few years of their lives. They provided this care with love and without complaint and Rodney, Wayne, Merlyn and our wives would like to express our sincere thanks to Neil and Melanie for this extra effort. Rodney and Maxine, Wayne and Joyce, Merlyn and Beverley, Neil and Melanie all join and give a very special thank you to Jack and Pauline Tyner, Jim and Gordie Hozack and all the Tyner and Hozack extended families that have given their love, respect, companionship and care to Eileen and Dale in their retirement year in Lloydminster. Eileen and Dale were always very grateful and we, as a family, would like to add our thanks as well. The family would like to acknowledge with special thanks, all the friends and relatives that attended the service and that expressed condolences and fond memories of their times with Eileen. Special thanks are extended to Ella, Janet, Miriam, Sandra and Colleen for adding a special aspect to the service with their singing. We also would like to thank Colleen and her girls for her lunch at the hall. In 2015, Eileen moved to the Islay Extended Care Centre and very much enjoyed and appreciated the exceptional care that she received from the staff. As well, Dr. Gerber was especially attentive in providing her with exceptional care in keeping her healthy for the last years of her life. Brett McCaw and McCaw Funeral Service were especially helpful in the final arrangements. All we can really say to all of you is thank you. All donations will be made to the Streamstown Cemetery.