Obituary of Pauline Anne Cadrin

CADRIN, PAULINE ANNE (nee LaClare)

December 24, 1923 - September 27, 2018.

It is with both sadness and gratitude for her, that we write of our Mother's passing. Our greatest memory of Mom is her deep faith in Jesus and the Virgin Mary.  It carried her with grace and dignity throughout every joy and hardship of her life. Mom was born in Edam, SK, graduated from High School in Vawn, SK and after a short time as co-teacher with her twin Phyllis in Goodsoil, SK, she married Benoit Roland Cadrin on December 27, 1943. Pauline and Ben raised nine children at Meota, SK. Mom loved our home by the lake and had wonderful memories that sustained her joy for the rest of her life. 

Mom is predeceased by her parents Marie-Louise and Howard LaClare, her husband Ben, son Gerald (Gerry), six of her seven siblings (Leopold, Mabel, Gilbert, Marie, Walter, Clarence) and son-in-law Rob Billington (Laura).  Mom is survived by 8 children, their spouses, 15 grand and 10 great grandchildren:  Roland (Jean; Ian, Jake), Claudette (Lou; Andrea & Dave, Emmy, Jake; Nicole, Dax, Jetta), Gerry's spouse Elaine (Michael & Lori, Anna-Belle, Larissa, Jayce; Tracey), Denise (Doug; Jesse & Jodie, Mason, Wyatt; Lucas), Pierre (Ruth; Nikolai, Anya), Carmen (Barry; Toban, Cale), Marie (Mike), Tony (Roseanne; Jordan, Logan) and Laura (Connor, Erin), and by her twin sister Phyllis Deschamps, as well as many nephews and nieces.

Mom's deep abiding love of Nature is one of her most compelling traits. She was happiest when outdoors, enjoying every aspect of the natural world. She loved the smell of the air after a rain, wild crocus hunting, and tracking the arrival and departure of birds in spring and fall. She loved berry-picking (no matter how prickly the plants, or heat of the day), making thousands of jars of wild berry syrups, jams and jellies over the years. 

Mom was a thoughtful, committed and selfless mother and farm wife (Chief Operating Officer par excellence). She milked cows, handfed calves and runty piglets. Her huge garden kept us all busy and well fed. She canned fruit, pickled and froze volumes of vegetables for the winter. Mom was a top-notch baker and won prizes for her famous bread. Dad and the children were first always. On birthdays, we chose our favourite meal and cake. Her hands were always busy. Baby sets were knit for each new arrival. Sweaters and socks flowed from her needles to us, our spouses, grandchildren and priests. She took nine months to crochet each beautiful tablecloth that she made for our tables. Whenever she could, Mom (lovingly Gran, Grandma or Grandma Pauline) was also there for her grand and great grand children, at births and celebrations, or with daily care. Mom prayed daily to Mary for the wellbeing of every one of us. Thank you Mom.

In Mom's household, there were prayers to be said, homework and chores to be completed, and rules that we had to follow. Discipline was measured out and administered in a firm calm way. Mom did all of this to prepare us for the rest of our lives, imparting the skills and fine art of accepting and coping with life's hardships, and the ability to consciously appreciate the small joys of our daily lives. 

Mom's funeral will be held at 10:30 am Thursday, Oct 18th at St. Philip Neri Church, 1902 Munroe Avenue Saskatoon, followed by light lunch at the church. Mom was an avid church-goer, walking every day to St. Paul's Cathedral, no matter the weather, and participating at St. Ann's daily mass when she was still mobile. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a community church or an organization serving the needs of infants and their families.