On the morning of Monday, November 7, 2022, Maureen (Moe) Yeske of Victoria, BC died peacefully at her home with her husband of 55 years, Roy Yeske, caring for her.
Born in Regina, Saskatchewan on July 15, 1943, Maureen spent her early childhood in Regina attending Herchmer School, Scott Collegiate & Regina College followed by the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
Maureen was gifted with a fine intellect combined with an athletic ability, which enabled her to teach dancing, gymnastics, swimming; and, become a cheerleader throughout high school & university, ending as the head of the Saskatchewan Roughrider Cheerleaders in the 1960’s. Moe received her Bachelor of Education (1965) & her Master of Continuing Education (1979) from the University of Saskatchewan.
Maureen began her career teaching physical education at Mount Royal High School in Saskatoon. After her marriage to Roy, she taught English & Physical Education at her alma mater, Scott Collegiate. In the 1970’s Moe was the Director of Physical Education at the YWCA. Later, as a volunteer, she served on the Board of the National YWCA.
In the late 1980’s Maureen was hired by the Government of Saskatchewan in Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, then to a senior level as the Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Finance, followed by a senior manager position as the Executive Director of Health Planning at the Department of Health.
Having made many life-long friends during their years in Saskatchewan, Maureen & Roy retired in 2001 to Victoria BC. Never one to sit around, Moe made many more wonderful friends, while enjoying golfing, bridge & her book clubs. Roy and Moe were passionate travellers – from the Arctic & Iceland to the Antarctic, from North & South America to Europe as well as Australia & Asia with a trip to Kauai each winter. At the end of her life, she declared that she had been almost everywhere. Sadly, she & Roy had a couple of trips booked but will not be taken.
Maureen is predeceased by her father & mother, Wilson & Helen Harper, and by her step-mother Jean (Anderson) Harper. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Roy Yeske, her sister Merry Harper (Eric Harbottle), her step-brother Drew Anderson (Susan); her niece Anne (Harbottle) Syme & grand-niece Everly.
A contribution to Victoria Hospice would be appreciated in lieu of flowers. A special thank you to Dr. Marlene Muller, and all the counsellors and nurses at Victoria Hospice.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Bonnie Bily and Kathleen Keating
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Bob Clemenhagen So sorry to hear of your loss Roy
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Gary Podborochynski Hi Roy,
I was really surprised to hear of Moe’s passing. Much too soon in my opinion, but that is beyond anyone’s control! You have lost a good friend, but I trust that the many pleasant memories will help you make it through your difficult times.
With sincere condolences,
Gary Podborochynski
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Rick & Louise Patrick Roy, Louise and I are so sorry to hear of Maureen’s passing.We will always remember her as the wonderful lady she was.Take comfort in the happy memories you made in your many years together.
“Tears are the price you pay for love”.
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Paul Fraser Paul and Judy Fraser from Regina send our sincere condolences. We remember so many good times we had with Moe and Roy. She had a Smile of Sunshine that we still remember.
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Val and Paul Syme We are so sorry for your loss and are thinking of you during this difficult and sad time. It was lovely getting to know you and Moe while vacationing in Kawaii (memories) and sharing that time together.
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Lynda Gamble Roy, my deepest condolences to you. Maureen was bright light in your life and anybody that worked with you knew she was a driving force that was always there for you. Although the path of grief is often hard to follow, blessed memories can often soften the road. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Maxine C Hudon Dear Roy,
Thinking of you and sending our sincere condolences.
John and Maxine Hudon
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Jack McNeill My sincere condolences to you Roy on the passing of the love of your life, Maureen. My
thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time.
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MARGARET BLOOMFIELD To Roy, Merry and family
I was so very sorry to hear of Maureen’s passing. I am holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.“Although her smile has gone forever
And her hand you cannot touch
Still, you have so many memories
Of the one you loved so much
Her memory is your keepsake
With which you will never part
God has Maureen in His keeping
You have her in your heart”Margaret Bloomfield (a friend from Swans)
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Larry and Anne Nestman Larry and I were saddened to hear of Moe’s passing. Larry has fond remembrances of Moe in their growing up days in Regina. We both remember Moe as your life partner, Roy, embracing friends and sharing interests especially a zest for travel. We think of Moe with fondness, reflecting on our times when we gathered for the Campion reunions and more recently a visit with us in Halifax while you were on a holiday cruise. We offer our condolences to Moe’s family and especially to you, Roy with love and hugs.
Larry and Anne
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Peter Nicholson Roy, please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of your wife. I did not know her but I wanted to join your Campion friends in adding my name to those who are supporting you in this sorrowful time. Your family are in my thoughts as you deal with this difficult loss.
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Donna Welke My condolences Roy on Maureen’s passing.
I read her obituary in the Regina Leader Post
I was remembering our parties with the Langenberg gang in Saskatoon when Grant and I were newly married.
We were married for 53 years and Grant died last year from pulmonary fibrosis.
I just wanted to send you kind thoughts from those of left behind. Take time. Take care.
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Donna & Jerry Zbytnuik So sorry to hear of Maureen’s passing. Treasure the memories of a full life together. Kindest regards.
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Eric Dietrich Roy- So sorry to hear of MO’s passing. Our thoughts are with you. Keep in touch
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Drew and Susan So glad we got to visit with Moe and Roy this summer. Will miss her very much. She was special.
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Robert Bechard Roy, so sorry to hear of Maureen’s passing. We will
cherish even more our « Campion » get togethers that we have shared over the past few years.
Our love and sympathy,
Bob/Aileen Bechard
High River’AB
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Joan Morin Roy, I was so shocked and saddened to hear of Moe’s passing. Life has a way of changing that fast. Moe was always such a bright light wherever she was. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
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Janet Lewis Maureen’s sense of humour and zest for life will be sorely missed by her Friday walking friends in Swans (Saanich Women’s Active Newcomers). Our deepest condolences to Roy, Merry and family.
Jan Lewis
Swans Walks Coordinator
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Roger Carriere So sorry about Maureen’s passing.
At the Ministry of Health in Regina, I remember Maureen’s helpful manner, her cheerfulness, and the lunches that we had together in the TC Douglas cafeteria.
My sympathy to Maureen’s family and friends.
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Jack Vicq My condolences Roy on the passing of Maureen. We worked together in Regina in the mid 80’s and went through some interesting times in Finance. She brought a ray of sunshine to the office. Maureen was one of those persons that could get things done with a sense of humour.
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Doug and Val Forman Roy
Val and I are so sorry to hear of Moe’s passing
The world lost big time but Heaven gained all our losses. Moe was such a loving, vibrant person. Hopefully your memories will help you through this difficult time
Our sincere condolences and sympathies to you.
Doug and Val Forman
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Joan Pederson I have so many great memories of Moe as we both worked in Government and our paths crossed often. She was so smart and I valued her opinion because I knew she had analyzed the issues thoroughly. She was a very caring person and always looked for the best outcome for those receiving and affected by programs and policies.
My sympathies to you Roy and her family and friends.
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Betty & Mike Chandler To Roy, Merry and family. Our deepest condolences for the loss of our dear friend Moe.
Moe was a very special lady & a wonderfully supportive friend to us both. We will always have special memories of our hiking days together and the fun themed dinner parties that we had with Kathleen & John, Moe & Roy and Mike & I. Happy memories of my girly getaways to the Kingfisher resort with Moe & Kathleen were so much fun. We laughed like a group of teenagers, laid in the sun & chatted non stop. Moe will be missed and we feel blessed to have known her.
Fondly Betty & Mike Chandler
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Allan Hagan Roy Sincere condolences on the loss of your beloved Maureen
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Graham Barker Roy, so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear wife. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Graham Barker
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Dale and Karen Leitch Roy and Family:
Karen and I were very sorry to learn of Moe’s passing. I have many good memories of the time Moe and I spent at Treasury Board in Regina working on various management consulting projects. Her positive attitude, humour and intelligence were second to none and made working there with her a real pleasure. Moe also had great inter personal skills which came in handy on many of those projects. We also remember with fondness the going away party you and Moe held for us at your home when we left Regina for Victoria in 1990. We are so glad that you and Moe had time together to enjoy the many pleasures of Victoria, Vancouver Island and the rest of the world.
Our sympathies to you and your family.
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Hope Stouse Hi Roy and family, we were sorry to see Moe’s obituary in todays
Leader Post.
Many fond memories of our times living together in Saskatoon.
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Glen Ridgway Sad to hear of the passing of Maureen.
Our sincere condolences Roy.
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Fred hill Roy
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Maureen. I know somewhat of your situation. I lost my wife over a year ago after 60+ years of marriage. Our years together at SaskPower now seem so many years ago. The next while will be difficult for you but just remember you have many friends thinking of you. If you ever want to talk feel free to contact me anytime.
Fred Hill
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Ron Styles My condolences Roy on your loss. Maureen always had a profound impact on those around her and although it’s been over twenty years since we worked together as colleagues, she had an impact on me that lasts to this day. She cared about everyone she met and always strived to make the world a better place .
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Gail Badduke (Rowbotham) To the family – I am so sorry to read about Maureen’s passing. I have fond memories of visiting with Maureen and Roy at my Aunt Carol’s place many years ago. I remember her beautiful smile.
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Wayne & Carol EATON Heartbreak is something that no one can heal,
Memories are some something that no one can steal.Many good memories of 65 years of friendship. Thank you for being our friend.
Sincere condolences to Roy, Merry & Eric and family.
Sending condolences to you Roy on the passing of your wonderful wife Maureen from Bonnie Bily (Fieseler) and Kathleen Keating (Fieseler), originally from Langenburg.
We remember fondly our University days when we lived in a suite above you and Eric Dietrich. We are fortunate that we also had the opportunity to meet Maureen in that time.
May memories from your many years together help to bring you some comfort and peace.