In Loving memory of Arlene Chynoweth, who passed away at the age of 89 years
Beloved wife of the late Donald “Buck” Chynoweth.
On April 30th, 2020, Arlene passed away peacefully after a brief non-Covid-19 respiratory illness. She leaves behind four of her children; Morris (Elaine), Cheryl (Chris), Dale (Cathy) and Donnie (Cheryl) and her son-in-law Dan Downe (Wendy), along with her precious grandchildren; Andrea, Derek, Danielle, Kyle, Kaden, Cassie, Kristi, Quinn and Danik, and three and a half great grandchildren (Mikaela, Chase and Myer). She is survived by her two sisters Marguerite Sidebottom of Lloydminster and Sharon (Art) Bradburn of North Battleford.
Arlene Keall was born in Battleford and raised on a farm in the Mount Hope area, and, after graduating Normal School in Saskatoon in 1950, took her first teaching position with Gloria Lowe in Coleville SK. She met and married the rapscallious Don (Buck) Chynoweth in 1953 and began her family in Coleville soon after. In 1970 Buck and Arlene moved the family to Kindersley where they resided for forty-five years.
Arlene was a dedicated stay-at-home homemaker until the last of her children were finishing school. She then upgraded her teaching certificate and became a substitute teacher at the Kindersley high school. She loved every minute of her early and later teaching career.
Arlene was active with the Coleville Kinettes, Coleville curling club and later the Kindersley Beta Sigma Phi chapter. She loved her daily routine with “the coffee girls”, played golf whenever possible, volunteered with the Arts Council but most of all she loved to travel.
She and Buck visited many places across Canada, Mexico, United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and continental Europe. She would travel with anyone – her husband, parents, sisters, in-laws, children and friends. Her greatest thrill was visiting her grandchildren in Edmonton, Calgary, Fort Lauderdale and Ottawa, or having them visit her in Kindersley.
Arlene was known for her generosity of heart, sense of humor, and love of life. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma and friend. She was an incredible listener who had a powerful sense of fairness and willingness to be open and inclusive. She would never let you down. There was always room for others at her kitchen table and there was always fresh homemade bread, buns and cookies to share.
Given the present circumstances, no decision on a service has been made.
In lieu of flowers, we request you direct donations to either the Kindersley and District Arts Council, PO Box 2324, Kindersley, SK S0L1S0 or the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), 1149 8th St E, Saskatoon, SK S7H 0S3. www.cnib.ca/donate
Arrangements entrusted to the Kindersley Community Funeral Home & Crematorium.
A Poem to Mom:
Lord, you may not have noticed
Someone special at your gates today
She would have arrived without a fuss
And not very much to say.
But if you notice your children
Smiling with all their might
Check out the person reading to them
Every day and every night.
And if you wonder why
Fresh bread is showing up
With cinnamon buns beside
Your steaming coffee cup.
Have a look around
At the Saints in your hallowed land
For a new one has arrived
To lend a helping hand.
She’ll make sure you’re fed
And heaven is sparkling clean
She’ll run your special house,
Like a well-oiled machine.
And if you find you’re craving
Something sweet for your lips
She’ll whip up some ginger snaps
Or some awesome chocolate chips.
And while you may marvel
At her energy and her smile
She will clearly show
She’ll go the country mile.
And if you have those who stray
From your teachings, as they swoon
She will straighten them all out
With her trusty wooden spoon.
Lord, you have my Mother
Take her under your wing
She has very valuable teachings
And loves to dance and sing.
And when you see her with a guy
Especially on your day of leisure
Ask for a joke from the man called Buck
Along with a fancy Caesar.
And while we may complain
And call this so unfair
If you play your cards right
She’ll even wash your hair.
As hard as it is for all of us
As she left us on Earth today
You have gained one-of-a-kind
We hope you treat her that way.
She may have been blind
And frail for you and me
But her vision and guidance
Is better than those who see.
Hold her in your arms, Lord
And hug her in-between.
For your newest Saint
Goes by the name Arlene.
Dale
P.S. Mom would have been embarrassed by the accolades in this poem, which was part of her humility and her grace. I hope she understood how much she meant to all of us.