Additional Stories…………. To Remember
We are pleased to include below stories and precises of obituaries that have been sent to us about Home Economics graduates and colleagues. We gratefully acknowledge the families and friends for the obituaries they have created for their loved ones.
Verna Gayleen Turner (nee Bredin), late of Swift Current, passed away in May 2025, accompanied by her family. She is survived by two daughters, extended family and four grandchildren, who brought her much happiness. Gayleen took great pride in her home and beautiful garden, loved to explore new places and took many trips around the world. She was a dedicated teacher of Home Economics for several generations of students. Gayleen served on the Pioneer Co-op Board of Directors for many years and was an active member in the First United Church in Swift Current and the provincial NDP, serving on the executive. She contributed to higher learning at USask on the Senate and through her invaluable leadership with the Association of Saskatchewan Home Economists, and Chair of the Home Economics Engagement Committee for the College of Pharmacy and Nutrition.
Shirley Ann Lambert, of Rose Valley, SK, passed away in October 2024 at age 83. Her children and grandchildren described their mother and grandmother as patient and kind, the most amazing cook, who cherished her family, neighbours and church community. Shirley graduated with a BSHEc from the College of Home Economics in 1972. She was predeceased by Martin, her dear husband of 44 years and her close friend, Judy Buzuwetski, who was like a sister. At her memorial service, Shirley provided the following gentle advice: “Leave no cherry square untasted, listen and sing to every hymn (even if you think your voice is not in tune), made time to pet every soft kitty, smell every yellow rose and always check the weather network before you leave home. Make sure you look at the beautiful Saskatchewan sunset and never, ever forget to tall your family and friends you love them.”
Donna Gail Newman (née Dreger) passed away in Regina in October 2024, at the age of 78. She is survived by her children Dwight and David, their father, Kenneth and other family. Donna was born in Regina and raised on a farm in the Lang area. Following completion of a Home Economics degree at USask and a BEd at the University of Regina, she taught for years and was a Citizen Advocate for people with disabilities in Moose Jaw. She also worked promoting Saskatchewan agricultural products, including a wheat germ toy for the Saskatchewan Wheat Growers, and worked on designing and developing in transitional neighborhoods. She dedicated much of her energy to raising her younger child in the face of challenges from severe autism. Among her hobbies, Donna enjoyed designing and sewing clothing, refinishing furniture, listening to the symphony, riding her proud cycle to visit neighbours, reading, Bible study, and painting prairie landscapes and exotic animals.
Elizabeth Gordon, age 81, passed away in June 2024 at The Meadows in Swift Current with her daughters by her side. Liz was born in 1943 in Gull Lake Hospital and grew up on the farm, riding her horse to the country school, St. Clair. Learning was a love and theme throughout her life. At 13, she took up room and board in Swift Current and began grade 9, graduating in 1960. Liz married Arthur Gordon from Webb and began their life at the Gordon Family farm. She was proud when her farm received organic status in 1996, and she put great effort into restoring the Gordon’s 5th generation farmhouse, built in 1926. Thanks to Liz it is a heritage site. Liz was a loving mom, seamstress, artist, reader, knitter and ceramics instructor. In 1974, she made the bold move to Saskatoon and received her BSHEc and then Masters in Adult Education in 1990, writing her thesis “Stress in the Farm Family”. This helped lay the groundwork for the province’s first ever Farm Stress Line. In her later years, Liz especially enjoyed visiting with her two great-grandchildren.
Marie Esther Dunn was born and grew up in Woodstock, Ontario, and lived in Saskatoon to the wonderful age of 97 years. Home economists, colleagues and friends celebrated Marie’s life on August 8, 2024 at St. Martin’s, the church so close to her heart. Close friend Gwenna Moss provided “Remembering Marie’s Life” and niece Kathleen and nephew Dave took part in the service. Marie completed Home Economics at UBC, a dietetic internship in Halifax and worked as a public health nutritionist before moving to Saskatoon to undertake a BA and MA of Continuing Education at USask. Next stop was West Africa, where she spent six years teaching in the Home Science Department at the University of Ghana. Marie held dearly her Ghanaian colleagues. Back in Saskatoon, Marie worked in the USask Education Library until she retired. Her many interests revolved around social justice. She and her sheltie dogs were well known in her Weir Crescent neighbourhood, and when Marie moved to Luther Tower in 2014, she entered with her usual enthusiasm!
Sally Lynn Scholz Bowman, Class of 1981, passed away in April 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Sally grew up in Churchbridge, Saskatchewan, on her family farm with her parents and four siblings. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a BSHEc with Great Distinction. It is there that she met her husband of 42 years. Together they had two daughters. Sally was a wonderful homemaker and mother, always enjoying gardening, reading, playing cards, volunteering at St. Philip Lutheran Church, and at the various schools and activities her daughters attended. She always loved music and sang in choirs from high school to the St. Philip choir and handbells until recent years.
Judith (Judy) Hannah (nee Crawford), Class of 1976, passed away October 2, 2024. Judy married Dave Hannah and together they raised two daughters, Elisse and Kaiti. Judy spent most of her working life at the Saskatchewan Association for Community Living (now Inclusion Saskatchewan). There Judy played a key role in establishing the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability program which provides dignified income support for people with disabilities. She retired in 2017. Thise who knew Judy remember her zeal for living and being unafraid to try new things or visit new places.
Elizabeth "Betty" (nee Collyer) Burwell passed away December 18, 2024. Betty was an adjunct faculty member in the College of Home Economics and after the College closed, she taught in the College of Education’s Home Economics Education program. She held a BHE from the University of Manitoba and an MSc from the University of Wisconsin. In addition to being adjunct professor at USask, she was a member of Food Focus Saskatoon. She took on many roles, serving the community in a variety of ways including being a credit counsellor, a sewing teacher, a food stylist, a judge at summer fairs and running the canning hotline during the summer. Betty served on the executives of the CHEA and SHEA as well as many other boards. She travelled to Ghana many times for home economics outreach. Predeceased by her husband Tom, Betty leaves three children and three grandchildren. A Celebration of Betty’s Life was held in May.