Marlene Smith

Dorothy Marlene Shearer was born September 11, 1937, on a farm near Bulyea, Sask., to John and Thelma (Tinkess) Shearer. There she grew up with three sisters, Elaine, Norma and Janet, and five brothers, Ronald, Lloyd, Allen, Rodger and Stan.
By chance Marlene met her soulmate Earl Smith, who happened to be working with a SaskPower crew in Bulyea. They married on February 9, 1957, and after moving to Lake Lenore, Sask., they had two daughters, Sandra and Linda.
In 1965, Earl became a District Operator with SaskPower and moved the family to his hometown of Invermay, Sask. While the girls were growing up, Marlene kept busy growing a large garden, baking, canning and also found time to help in the community with the Kinette organization and the girls’ church groups. Later, as the girls had families of their own, she especially found joy in her two granddaughters, Jennifer and Alicia, and great-granddaughter Isabella.
With Earl’s health failing, they sold the house and moved into Regina in June 2000. Sadly, Earl passed away in November that year. In time, she found new friends and enjoyed the new-found freedom to come and go on her own within the city. It was also during this time she took the opportunity to take a trip with Norma to visit Janet in Kelowna.
In 2008, Marlene was diagnosed with dementia and shortly thereafter required assistance for daily living. Her level of care increased to require her to move to a long-term care facility in 2013, where she remained.
Marlene was a special lady with a fun-loving personality and sense of humour. She was a nurturing and caring person, always helping others in their time of need. She taught her family there is good in everyone. She had a creative side and spent many hours sewing, crocheting, flower gardening and on many other craft activities. Marlene especially loved music and found joy in singing and dancing. Plus anyone who knew her, knew she loved to shop.
Marlene passed away peacefully in Regina Pioneer Village on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at the age of 79. She was predeceased by her husband Earl; parents, John and Thelma Shearer; sister Elaine and brother-in-law Norman Matchett; brothers, Ronald and Lloyd Shearer; and brother-in-law Harold Grant.

Marlene is survived by daughters, Sandra (Glen) Squires and Linda (Brad) Slatford; granddaughters, Jen Squires and Alicia Melby (Francisco Brown-Laxdal); great-granddaughter Isabella; sisters, Norma Grant and Janet Colban; brothers, Allen (Pete), Rodger, Stan (Jan) Shearer; sister-in-law Lucille Shearer; and their extended families.