In Loving Memory of Janet McConnell, born January 17, 1934 at Netherhill, SK. and passed away July 3, 2015 in North Battleford, SK. Left to cherish Janet's memory are her daughter Terrie (Roy) Helman, Glaslyn, Sk.; grandchildren, Jennifer (Shane) Meikle, Martensville, Sk. and John Gregory (Charity) Helman, Bragg Creek, AB., great-grandchildren, Tyler & Carlie Meikle, Ava & Rowan Helman; sister, Anne Hudson; sister-in-law, Hillevi Byl as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Janet was predeceased by her parents Albert and Antje Van Basten, her brothers, Klaas Byl and Burt Van Basten, brother-in-law Eugene Hudson, and sister-in-law Doreen Van Basten. The Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 - 2:00 p.m. from Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church, Glaslyn, Sk. with Officiant, Canon Donald Skinner. Poem reading by Ava Helman. The Eulogy was given by Jennifer Meikle, The Scripture readers were Jody Hargreaves & Jennifer Meikle. Gifts of Music by Pianist, Joan Harrison - Piano Solo, "So This Is Love" by Carlie Meikle; Soloist, Robert MacKay - "In The Bulb There Is A Flower." Hymn Selections were: "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" and "In the Garden". The Honorary Pallbearers were 'All those who took part in her life' and the Urn Bearers were Terrie and Roy Helman. Janet McConnell was born in Netherhill, Saskatchewan in 1934. She was the fourth child of Albert and Antje Van Basten, baby sister to brothers Klaas and Bert and sister to Anne. We were told she took advantage of being the baby of the family. She loved her siblings dearly and was even able to visit her sister Anne a few short weeks ago. When she started school she couldn't speak a word of English. For at home she only spoke Dutch. She finished her schooling with a grade 10 at Midnight Lake School. In her heart she always called Midnight Lake home. In 1955 Grandma married Roland McConnell. She went to work cooking for a bush crew in the Meadow Lake area. From there they moved to a tiny trailer in Cochin. In 1957 my mom was born and then they moved to Glaslyn. She hauled grain for her brother Bert on the family farm until Bert retired from farming. She loved the job and apparently could back up to the bin better than any man. She also worked part time at the post office, bus driver and at Gordy's Auction . Grandma's true passion and talent was cooking. In 1975 she found herself having to go back to work. She worked for the ferry crew for 10 years and bridges for 10 years as well. She was their cook! And what a cook she was. Her God given talent was admired and appreciated. Her cream pies were famous. They were often a part of the Catholic Fowl supper and curling rink fare. The United Church group knew well her fussiness in the kitchen and her desire for the perfectly cooked roast. Her cooking was her way of sharing her love. Grandma had a passion for curling. In her day she played competitively; participating in provincials at Regina and the team did quite well. She was a lead for Tony Osterman for many years. She competed and won many a bonspiel. Once she physically couldn't play anymore she became an avid fan. She loved watching it on TV. She would often call me to remind Shane of a big game. She loved the game and was very proud that Tyler was playing with his high school team. It was pointless to call her during the Scotties or the Brier, especially if the Frenchie, "Guy Hemming" was playing. Later in life she enjoyed bowling and was always sure to score keep. Grandma had many lifelong friendships. I loved watching the swirl of drinks whether it be a black coffee or rye and coke and the clap of cards, surrounded by a table of cackling ladies, loud laughter and hushed whispers. Joyce, Mary and Wanda were often at her side. Canasta games with Joan, Julie and Sharon were often enjoyed. She was a loyal friend: a secret was a secret, she was a vault. When Grandma moved to the little home in Glaslyn I was so glad and appreciative of her friends. They were always stopping in. They truly loved her. She will be missed dearly. She was also blessed with the close ties between her and the Byl family. Countless hours of cards were shared between them. Grandma and Martha were often Kaiser partners and enjoyed a good win! They certainly didn't play to lose. Not only were the Byls her family they were also dear friends. For the last five years grandma has been in North Battleford, K.C. and Bonnie, Martha and Pat, and of course Hillvie, you have made countless stops, pickups, supper invites, and card game visits. She loved those times and for that my mom, dad, Greg and I are so very thankful! She was a wonderful Grandmother! To this I have much to tell. Greg and I were her only grandchildren. We were her babies. Living next door to her truly was the mack daddy of locations. My earliest memories were of popsicles, fudgesicles, sausage and noodles, pizza, porridge and jello (froze just right). She taught us card games, cooking, sewing and how to crochet. She bought us all of our bikes and always had the best Christmas gift under the tree, end of year passing gifts and seriously overpaid us to shovel and do odd jobs. She also bought these side by side double scoop cones from some mythical store in Saskatoon that nobody has ever found. She was generous with what she had and always generous with her time. Slow long time to sit to visit to talk it out to learn something new. We were her babies! She adored our babies. Tyler, Carlie, Ava and Rowan, there simply isn't a word to describe the way she felt about you four. She absolutely adored each of you. Her love was expressed in her crafts as well. She made us many aphgans that still hang on the backs of chairs and bed still. She was a talented cross stitcher. Weddings and births were recorded in priceless crosstiches. As well, many Last Supper proudly hang on our walls. My brother had a dog named Jake. He dearly loved that dog. When Jake died, grandma with arthritic hands cross stitched him a picture of Jake. This piece Greg will always treasure. One very unique thing about Grandma is that she is one of the very few repeat clients in palliative care. We had quite the scare five years ago and thought we had surely lost her. For whatever reason God gave us five more years. Those five have not been easy years for her. They were more of a gift for us I think. In those years she became a resident of River Heights Lodge. At the lodge she was a member of the Resident Council. She was president and did an excellent job of co-chairing the meetings. She ran the canteen and took her job very seriously. Shopping or trips to Saskatoon were avoided on canteen Tuesday. She made the very best out of her last five years. She made friends at the home. She loved the staff and we clearly saw in her last days how much they loved her. The staff at River Heights was very good to her and very comforting to us in the end. Our dinner table will forever be incomplete. Dad, In her journal she wrote "Roy brought me Tim Hortons tim bits and McDonald coffee today. I think he is the best son in law in the world." I believe she may be right. You were playful, loving, kept her home and yard in order, and you loved her as if she were your own. Mom, You stayed by her side for days until her last breath was drawn. She was infinitely proud of you. You were a very good daughter - and she LOVED you! I believe in every person in every occasion there is a lesson to be learned. And from you Grandma J, I will take this away… take time for people, visit without distraction, slow down, teach someone young something new, bake something for scratch for someone you love, be a true friend. And love with all your heart. Good bye love! Card of Thanks: Thank you for all the hugs, food, calls, visits, cards, flowers, Memorial Donations in mom's name, and all that took time to attend her service, to Canon Don Skinner for officiating, Joan Harrison for playing music, the United Church group for a lovely lunch, Thank - you to Battlefords Funeral Service and a very heartfelt thank you to the River Heights Lodge East side caregivers for all your respect and compassion and wonderful care you gave mom the last 5 years and especially her last few weeks. Roy, Terrie, Jennifer and Greg; Memorial Donations are requested to the River Heights Lodge Auxiliary, 2001 - 99th St., North Battleford, Sk.  S9A 0S3 or Donors choice. Arrangements were entrusted to Battlefords Funeral Service.
