Marlyne Elaine Hargreaves

MARLYNE ELAINE HARGREAVES

October 16, 1931 - August 25, 2023

The fondest farewell to Marlyne from family, friends and extended family.

A vibrant, enthusiastic, community-minded spirit, Ma, (as her three offspring often called her) died August 25 at the Carberry care home two months shy of her 92nd birthday. Offspring Darron and Janine were at her bedside. Time and distance conspired against eldest daughter Lori, who raced from her home in Victoria but came up hours short.

Marlyne grew up on a farm in the Oak Lake area in tough times but still thrived. She gained a teaching certificate and after some schoolhouse experience in the local area, she taught elementary school in the Yukon for two years.

She may not have known it but Marlyne belonged to the 'Beat Generation' of the 1950s. She and a friend once jumped on a bus and travelled to California where they spent two weeks 'just talking.' She travelled by bus to Nova Scotia to serve as a bridesmaid and later took an unsanctioned trip to Niagara Falls with a friend. Just for the hell of it.

In the mid 50s, while teaching in Neepawa, she met Lawrence, a pharmacist who had recently set up shop in town. Lawrence asked a clerk to introduce him to Marlyne while she was browsing in the store and they were soon married and living in the small apartment above the store. They produced three children, who went on to give them some measure of pride.

Lawrence (who died in July, 2005) and Marlyne were passionate community advocates who played significant roles in establishing the Margaret Laurence Home. Marlyne was also a devoted music lover and painter. She played piano and organ and joyfully served as the United Church organist for many years. She also taught music theory to many of Neepawa's aspiring young musicians.

She was an ardent supporter of the local arts scene. She loved to paint and specialized in floral settings and landscapes. The highlight of her artistic career came in the early 90s when a group of Westman painters' works were displayed at the Legislature Building. The family attended the gala, and Ma, who had 4-5 works on exhibit, was delighted to see a 'sold' sign on one of her pieces. The price wasn't revealed, but we estimated it would at least cover the cost of the frame. We kidded her for days about joining the artistic Big Leagues and becoming a peer of Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Marlyne and her beloved Lawrence enjoyed travel and hit many destinations in the US, Caribbean, South America and Europe.

Marlyne was also a longtime member of Inner Wheel and she and her close-knit cadre of cohorts conspired to cook up many brilliant fundraising ideas and projects over the decades. And had a lot of un doing it from all reports.

Marlyne also liked to hunt for berries and flowers. She had a penchant for crocuses, chokecherries and Saskatoons and would haul grumbling offspring along on her berry searches. "We aren't leaving until you fill that (huge) pail," she would instruct.

All the under-the-breath cursing and grousing and childish resentment was more than placated by the resultant abundance of pies and tarts.

Marlyne Elaine Hargreaves. What a terrific mother. What a great lady.

Goodbye Marlyne. So long Ma