On June 22nd, 2003, Maisie Chartrand passed away at the Coronach & District Health Centre, Coronach, Sask.

Maisie (nee Lane) was born February 5th, 1927 at Outlook, Montana. The family resided in the Big Muddy district until 1937 when they moved to the Paisley Brook district to farm. Maisie attended Paisley Brook School. She married Alcide Chartrand on February 5, 1947 and they farmed in the area. Predeceased by her husband Alcide in 1985, her parents Alex Lane in 1970 and Margaret (nee Hume) Lane in 1977, brothers Charlie, Alex (Sonny) and Roy, she is survived by three sons Clifford (Pat) and their son Ryan of Rocky Mountain House, Alta., Marty (Dion) and their children Melanie, Jesse and Allison of Cochrane, Alta., Neil and his children Kevin, Aron, Brandon and Sharan-da of Rocky Mountain House, Alta. She is also survived by her loving brother John (Jock) Lane of Medicine Hat, Alta. and her special friend Walter Brown of Big Beaver.

Funeral Service was held Friday, June 24th, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. in the Big Beaver Community Hall, Big Beaver, Saskatchewan. The Reverend David Peebles officiated. Pallbearers were Ronnie Aust, Ed Millard, Peter Andersen, Michael Fister, Barry Marshall, and Marlow Marshall. Music Ministry was led by Milson Harris, Clifford Brown, Adeline Hovorka and Florence Galbraith. Hymns were "One Day At A Time", "In The Garden", "Amazing Grace", and "Little Green Valley". Donations in Memory of Maisie can be made to The Lung and Respiratory System Association. Interment followed at the Big Beaver Cemetery.

Sharon Nicholson gave the eulogy as read. "Maisie" such a unique name! Such a unique lady!! And what a lady she was. Maisie always had high values and upstanding morals. I was asked to tell some humorous stories, but most of those I can't share. We did have some good times though. Our community was blessed with her for 76 years. Let us celebrate her life spent here with us. Maisie was one of the first people I met when I moved to Big Beaver. She brought us milk, cream and butter; hurrying on to her clerking job at the store then cleaning the school; then back home to milk again and do household chores plus looking after her family. Maisie and I became close friends after she moved to town; sharing secrets and gossip like two teenage girls. Maisie often mentioned she'd like to get a brand for her cattle so we helped her to get her Dads brand XL on left hip, exactly like her Dads. Ranchers with hundreds of calves to brand could not come close to having the pride that woman had as she held the heated iron on that first calf. I can still see that smile! Another milestone was getting her Canadian citizenship so she could receive her pension as she was born in Outlook, Montana. She couldn't believe she had to write an exam at her age. Maisie loved life and surrounded herself with people who loved her. She loved socializing in every way, shape and form. After she moved to town, it seemed everyone always ended up at her place whether we came from across the line, from a dance or from the store. Young or old hers was the place to go. She sometimes had a small stubborn streak which we all encountered sometime I'm sure. One icy afternoon she wanted to go to Flaxville and no one seemed to be able to go along, so she decided she'd go alone. There were a few of us who advised her not to but..! Along the way down she encountered an icy patch, spun around several times, went across the highway and ended up facing north. After she quit shaking she slowly put the car in motion and crept home. We were sworn to silence. The booth in the store won't be the same now. She had her spot and no one challenged her. She would sit and shuffle the cards until enough players came along. People were regularly accused of cheating and looking in her hand and you know what? She almost was right. She always took the ribbing she received back, with good humor. Her response usually was "shut up and play" or "shut up and deal". I called Todd at the RY to tell him about the funeral and his response was "I'm going to miss her telling me to "shut up". Maisie wasn't a church goer, but I don't think I've ever seen a more spiritual person in the fact that she lived by the Golden Rule 'treat others as you would have them treat you'. Maisie gave respect and in turn received it. Even up until the end, she hardly ever complained. The one thing she missed the most was not being able to dance but she still loved listening to the music. Maisie's death was not expected so there are a lot of unsaid thoughts and wishes. Maisie was a good friend! I'm going to miss her immensely as will you all. We'll not say "good-bye" Maisie, only "see you later!" We love you. And now I hear her say, "Just shut up and sit down". Gusty Chartrand wrote a tribute (but was unable to be in attendance). Maisie Chartrand was my pupil, my friend, and my sister-in-law.
Remember her with a smile today
She was not one for tears
Reflect instead on memories
Of all the happy years
Recall to mind the way she spoke
Of all the things she said
Her strength, her warmth, her tenderness
Remember these instead
The good advice she gave to you
Her eyes that shone with laughter
So much of her will never die
But live on ever after.

It seems that I've known Maisie forever, but actually I met her in 1942 when she was 14 and one of my first pupils in Paisley Brook School. I lived alone in the teacherage, just up the hill from Maisie's home, and she would often come and spend the night with me. I was only 20 and it was my first year alone away from home, so I treasured her company. We had fun times together and did some foolish things. One Sunday we had been invited to Morrow's for supper. How to get there was a problem, so we decided we'd walk. Maisie said, "It's not that far." So she, her brother and I started off. We walked and walked on fairly level ground, but then we came to the hills. We'd go up one hill and down, up another hill and down, and after the third or fourth hill Maisie said, "It's got to be over the next hill". But it wasn't, so we went up and down a few more hills and Maisie, ever optimistic, would say, "Well, it's got to be over the next one". Finally we got to the top of the last hill and there below were the lights! Of course when we got there supper was over, they'd given up on us getting there! But we were still fed and after visiting for awhile we started the long trip back. It was probably 6 or 7 miles but it seemed like 20. We had to crawl under one fence and when we were down we just stayed there for ten or fifteen minutes! We finally got back home and bed never felt so good! We used to go berry picking with the team and wagon. Before we left home we'd soak our clothes in the rain barrel, to keep us cool, but it didn't take them long to dry off in the heat. Maisie loved to laugh, she'd tell a joke and then look pleasantly surprised to see us laugh at it. A year or so later I married Bob Chartrand and we moved to Minton. Then Maisie married Alcide and we became sisters-in-law. We never saw too much of each other then except over summer holidays. And of course when I was no longer a member of the family, we saw even less of each other. Maisie had her trials and hard times, but she always managed to keep smiling.
God must have thought her special
To take her as he did
They say he only takes the best
And this he surely did
Isn't it strange that those we need
And those we love the best
Are the ones that God needs too
And takes them home to rest
Put your arms around Maisie, Lord
And kiss her smiling face for she was a special person
That can never be replaced.
There was also a poem read by friend Alice - - - - Me Fraind Maisey
I have just recent lost a fraind
A lady whose heart could ever win.
Honor from other's known or not
This lady by family, will not be forgot
Also friends, casual and close.
To give her honor, many arose.
Sad it was this day in June.
To bid good bye, to a friend so soon.
To bid good bye to a caring heart.
This final time, to go apart
Perhaps to meet in a distant time.
Her memory placed with in this rhyme
Those of her kin young and old
Are part of this lady, whose heart was gold
A giving soul who nurtured all.
Left much good behind, this day of her call
She will be missed by all with silent tears
A true lady and Mother

Arrangements were entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, Sask.