DUNLOP: Myrtle LaBelle (nee Cave) passed away at the Jubilee Home, Lloydminster, SK on Saturday, August 6, 2011 at the age of 92 years. Memorial Service was held at Battleford United Church, Battleford, SK on August 11, 2011 with Rev. Nora Borgeson officiating. Urn Bearers were her grandsons, Dean & Michael Dunlop and Honourary Pallbearers were "All Those Who Shared Her Life". Myrtle's favorite hymns were played by Organist/Pianist, Mrs. M. Junice Headley and sung by the United Church Choir. By special request, Bob MacKay sang "The Rose'. Interment took place at the Garden of Christus, Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, North Battleford, SK. Myrtle leaves to mourn: her daughter, Joan (Mert) Cayford of Lloydminster, AB and son, Jim (Connie) Dunlop of Saskatoon, SK; 7 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great- grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mrs. Albie Cave. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Alex Dunlop; son, Ken Dunlop; grandson, Brian Dunlop and great-grandson, Christopher Cayford; her sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Eulogy by granddaughters, Kara Swatschina and Sandra Fafard Grandma was the fifth child of seven, born in Bengough, SK. When Grandma was in Grade 8, the family moved to the Prongue area. She married Alex Dunlop on November 20, 1935. They had three children: Joan, Jim & Ken. The couple lived on the Dunlop farm where Grandpa Alex passed away at the age of 54. Grandma was a widow at 49 years of age. Grandma lived there until 1972 when she moved to Surrey, BC to be with her mother until her passing. Grandma moved back to the prairies in 1975, bought herself a mobile home and a car and got her driver's license for the first time at the age of 57. She loved her car. We had a couple of incidences where we weren't sure she should've been driving. One time we were out driving in the country and a bird hit the windshield. Grandma ducked underneath the steering wheeland she was driving. We also had a trip from North Battleford to Battleford in the middle of the night and once we got home, we realized that she had never turned the lights on. Good thing for street lights. Grandma was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel. She was happy to have seen these destinations with her siblings. One trip included riding in a motor home with Doris and Alex. Alex had to make an unscheduled, abrupt stop and Grandma flew from where she was sitting in the motor home and her head ended up in the toilet once they came to the stop. The funniest thing was listening to her trying to tell the story and giggling. She quite often got the giggles and always the worst with her sister, Doris. Sometimes it was downright inappropriate but she just couldn't help it. When it was funny, you had to laugh. She baked more than cooked, yet she was proficient at both. She was more apt to have others in for coffee and cards so the supply for cookies and lemon loaves was more apt to be in her freezer than meat or casseroles. Grandma could even make a regular can of cream corn just taste better. She had incredible taste buds. Too bad she couldn't have had such an aversion to alcohol, she could have had quite the career as a wine taster. She might have gone easier on us then too (Hal). Grandma was always a very busy lady and spent her time bowling, playing cards, going to bingo and eating at the Dragon Palace. She loved to dance. She would dance with whoever asked her and you didn't have to be a boy. Grandma moved to Meadow Sweet Manor, a brand new senior's complex in Battleford, and loved it. (Kara recited a poem she had written for Myrtle on her 80th birthday that was still fitting to this day). Grandma's initial stroke came suddenly and it was massive. It was a devastating blow. Every part of who she was, was stripped from her in a matter of seconds. After many months of rehabilitation, she was able to return to Meadow Sweet Manor with the help of Home Care, but her spirit was gone. The damage to the brain that she incurred affected her sight and some of her thought processes. It stole her name and word find and left behind anger and frustration. Little strokes that followed just debilitated her more until more care was required. She was in Shelbee Care Home for many years before moving to Lloydminster to a new facility called Points West, there she found acceptance. It was now easier for Mom to give Grandma more love and care. Grandma broke her hip which required long term care at Jubilee Home. It was here that "entertainment" helped her play bingo once again. She retained her excellent hearing and her mind right up until the end and I think that afforded her extra conversation and chuckles with the staff at Jubilee. The effects of the stroke made it difficult to tell her stories but she always knew "in her mind" who and what you were talking about, so that level of communication was thankfully never lost. After she had her initial stroke in 2002, she said that she hoped that would be how she died. She said she never knew what was happening so there was no fear and no pain. She died peacefully Saturday afternoon with family around her and a rip roaring storm with all the thunder and lightning as a bonus going on outside. She loved a good storm so it seemed only fitting that that was her chosen time. We are glad she didn't suffer, that she had time with Mom and was independent for many years. We are glad she had so many laughs and that she saw a lot of the world and had family who always rallied to her side when tragedy struck. We do believe that tonight she is going to be hauling her sorry butt home from Auntie Leona's cloud at around two in the morning, finally, after nine years, playing a good old round of the 80 cent game and I'm betting she'll win. The time to mourn Grandma was when the first stroke stole her spirit. The time to celebrate is now when this last stroke gave it back. Card of Thanks The family of Myrtle Dunlop would like to thank Dr. Van Der Merwe and the Jubilee Home for their excellent care of Mom; to the Battlefords Funeral Service for all their care and understanding; to Rev. Nora Borgeson, the Battleford United Church Choir, Bob MacKay for their music and the United Church Ladies for providing lunch during our time of fellowship; to our family and friends who gave flowers, donations, food and kind words and expression of sympathy. Thank you one and all. Joan, Mert Cayford and family, Jim, Connie Dunlop and family, Steven, Jamie Dunlop and family ____________________________________________________
