April 7, 2021
1924-2021 ~ Our mother Arline (GG to everyone in the family) passed away April 7th in the company of 2 of her four children. Mom was an amazing person - who never forgot a birthday / anniversary of every single one of the dozens of us out there. Even at 97 her mind was a sharp as any one of us could ever hope to be. She has left a huge hole in our world.
Arline was born on the family farm in Watson Saskatchewan. She was the second oldest of 5 children. She met and married Al Christiansen in 1947 and they moved to Saskatoon where they raised their 4 children.
Some 20 years later they packed up and moved to Lac La Ronge in northern Saskatchewan. 20 years further down the road they moved to Cowichan Bay BC.
In all they lived in 39 different homes. In retirement they wintered in Yuma Arizona. She made many good friends everywhere she lived. One of her best friends was Marg who was with her in mom's final days.
Arline loved children and had untold patience. She had a special love for flowers (especially the spring flowers around her home in BC). Mom taught school for a good portion of her adult life. When she started to teach school in 1943, she only had normal school (one year of training after grade 11 which gave her a teaching certificate that lasted until 1947).
While raising 4 children & working she got her grade 12 at the same time her oldest son did. She continued her education by correspondence & summer school over many years and finally graduated with her Bachelor of Education in her 50s.
Mom had time for everyone and was an amazing role model for all she touched. She never gave anyone the impression that she was flustered and even had the time during her hectic life to publish two children's books - "Things to do" and "There is Sand in my Sandwich".
She also made many personalized gifts, scrap books, cookbooks, baby quilts, tea towels, etc for all of our family members and her friends.
Mom was predeceased by her mother Margaret Lillian Sproule (1942), her father Victor William Sproule (1980), her husband Al (2000), her brothers Winston (1934) and Tommy (2007).
Arline is survived by her brother Terry (Eleanor), sister Beverly, her children Patrick (Dallas), Shelley (Patrick), Scott (Kim) and Jerry (Gladys) and 34 grandchildren & great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.
Thank-you to Dr Pullan and Dr Thompson for their exemplary care and loving dedication to our mother. We are grateful for the tender compassionate care provided by the staff at Cairnsmore Place and Cowichan Hospice in these last weeks.
Donations can be made to Cowichan Hospice House in lieu of flowers.