Obituary of Jean Cavell Pratt

PRATT – Jean Cavell (Mainland) – August 26, 1919 – May 19, 2015. Mom was born in the Tweedyside District south of Biggar, SK. She attended Tweedyside School and completed her Gr. 11 by correspondence. During her younger years, she and her sister Mabel were noted ball players, playing for the Tweedyside Aces at many sports days. It was through playing ball that she met her husband Howard. They were married October 10, 1940 and farmed in the Jasper District on land Howard’s father homesteaded in 1904. They farmed this land until 1976. Mom was noted for playing the piano for school Christmas concerts and for many years played the pump organ, later piano and electric organ at Hope Hall United Church – a country church they attended. On selling the farm, Jean and Howard retired to Saskatoon where mom was involved in church activities and played with the Boom Boom Band for several years. They attended Balmoral Church in Saskatoon where mom continued as one of the organists. She was also noted for her research and writing of the Mainland and Pratt Family Histories and spent countless hours on this project. She had done up histories of her siblings which are cherished. After Howard’s passing in 2000, mom moved to Luther Heights and was involved in the social life there as well, being noted for her quilting expertise as well as her music abilities. When her health began to deteriorate, she moved to Riverview Village Estates in Swift Current in 2009, and for the past 5 years was a resident of the Gull Lake Special Care Home. Mom was predeceased by her siblings, Mary Dorsett, Tom Mainland, Sid Mainland and Mabel Russell. She was also predeceased by her husband Howard and son-in-law Archie Payne. Mom lived a full, productive life as a farm wife, a loving mother, a devoted spouse and a community worker no matter where she called “home”. She will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery in Saskatoon, SK beside her husband of nearly 60 years. “Rest in Peace Mom”. Arrangements were in care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home – Ryan Cappelle.