Obituary of Maria Alexina Meier

Maria Alexina Meire

May 2, 1934 – May 21, 2021

Maria Alexina Gascon was born in Garson, Ontario on May 2,1934 to Melina and Rudolph Gascon.  In the winter of 1949, she met a young farmer from Saskatchewan when he came to work in the mines in Ontario. The following year on Feb 16. 1950 she married the love of her life, Lawrence Meier. He brought her home to his Saskatchewan farm at Tramping Lake, SK.  Mom struggled with farm life and had little experience with the harsh weather and life with no electricity or running water. Mom and Dad often joked about the tough years on the farm in the 1950s, but it could not have been all bad as they left there 14 years later with 6 children in tow.

Over the years mom and dad made several moves. From the farm in Tramping Lake to owning the hotel in Vonda, SK, and then settling in Maidstone where Dad owned and operated the Macleods Hardware store. Their family was complete with nine children, 5 girls and 4 boys.  Mom undoubtedly considered her kids to be her greatest accomplishment and she was very proud of all our accomplishments.  Over the years 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren were added to her family.  She spent many hours helping us all whenever she could.

While in Maidstone they purchased a cabin at Aquadeo Beach and that was mom’s happy place. The whole family enjoyed time there and Mom and Dad particularly enjoyed it as their escape when the kids were grown.

Mom was a self-taught cook and baker and was always willing to share with family and friends; anyone who dropped by did not leave hungry. Her cinnamon buns were famous.  She also loved to make yarn crafts.  If her hands were not busy making dough, then she was crocheting or knitting something.

After dad passed away in 2001 mom spent a few years in Maidstone then moved to Saskatoon. In 2018 she moved to back to Ontario to live with her sisters for two years.  This seemed like a bold move for an 85-year-old, but her mind was made up.  She returned to Saskatoon in the fall of 2020 and lived there until her passing on May 21, 2021, at the age of 87 years old.

Mom died peacefully with her children by her side.  She left us to join Dad, children Cliff, and Shirley.  She will be greatly missed.

Maria leaves her 7 surviving children and grandchildren to mourn her passing. Diane (Bill) Mauws, Linda(Bernie) Arsenault, Kevin (Dawn) Meier,  Ken (Chris) Meier, Greg (Shelley) Meier, Colette (Kevin) Gardiyash, Annette (Paul) Beaulieu and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday July 3, 2021 1030am at St Philip Neri Parish, 1902 Munroe Ave, Saskatoon.  To register to attend the service please phone 1-306-343-0325.  To view live stream connect through stphilipneriparish.ca.  Interment will be held July 3 around 3pm at the Cemetery in Maidstone.  Arrangements entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home 306-244-5577.