JUST, Madeline Ruth
(née McAulay)
It is with both sadness and thanksgiving that we announce the passing of Madeline Ruth Just at the age of 88 years. We are sad at her parting and thankful for her life, well-lived.
Madeline was born on a farm near Forgan, Saskatchewan to Donald and Kathryn McAulay. Madeline was predeceased by her brother Wilfred, sister Edna (Granville) Williams and sister Jacqueline Miller.
Madeline attended Milan Country School for grades 1 through 8, grades 9 to 11 by correspondence and grade 12 at the Technical High School in Saskatoon. Madeline’s father died prematurely, leaving Wilfred to run the family farm and Madeline to assume the role of “Hired Man.” During this time she developed her physical strength which she retained throughout her lifetime. Madeline’s ambition from childhood was to be a nurse; she entered the 5 year Nursing Program at the U of S and St. Paul’s School of Nursing. During her training, she cared for patients on the Polio ward during the epidemic. She received her RN and BSN in May 1950.
Her first nursing position was at the hospital in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Madeline was then offered and accepted a teaching position at the Yorkton Municipal Hospital. It was while working in Yorkton that she met her husband, Dr. Harvey Just and they were married at Knox United Church in Saskatoon on November 22, 1952. Madeline joined her husband and moved to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where they had their veterinary practice and resided for 45 years.
Madeline and Harvey had a family of 6 children. She also took great pride in her 11 grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren were the love and joy of her long life. Madeline will be lovingly remembered by her husband Dr. Harvey Just; children Dr. Arlene Just, Martin Just, Valerie (Barry) Zbaraschuk, Heather Hanson, Christine (Rob) Hopkins and Dr. Jon (Roxana) Just; grandchildren Dr. Alicia Finch, Michael Finch, Mitchell Preston, Mark Zbaraschuk, Justine Zbaraschuk, Rory Hanson, Andrew Hanson, Annalise Hanson, Shelby Hopkins, Meaghan Hopkins and Danielle Hopkins; sister Anne (Bob) Hearn; sister-in-law Darline McAulay; sisters-in-law Agnes Husulak, Eldi Just and June Just; brother-in-law David (Lyn) Just as well as nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Madeline was a prolific volunteer and served on many committees and boards. She founded the Candy Striping Program at the Victoria Union Hospital in Prince Albert. Madeline served 20 years as a board member with the Baptist Union of Western Canada. She was on the board of the Canadian Baptist Overseas Missions. In 1993, she travelled with a group to Bolivia as a volunteer missionary. Madeline was President of the Baptist Women of Western Canada. In her volunteer work, she travelled a great deal. She attended meetings in South Korea, Australia, China, Singapore, Borneo, Jamaica, Argentina and the United States. For her dedication to volunteerism, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in March 2012. This medal was presented to her on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen by Madeline’s MP Brad Trost at a ceremony in Saskatoon.
Madeline enjoyed cooking and family celebrations. One of her specialty treats was butter tarts. The family cabin at Christopher Lake was her favourite place to be with family and friends. As a faithful follower of Christ, she was prayerful and diligent throughout all of life’s struggles and found great strength through faith in our Lord.
After retirement, Madeline and her husband spent 10 years in their condo in Victoria, BC and continued to return to Victoria for a month or more in the years following their return to Saskatchewan. They were delighted to have been able to return to Victoria this April for two weeks to see their many close church friends, classmates and nieces. The couple also embarked on considerable world travel, visiting friends in Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand.
As a family we want to extend a special thanks to Pastor Dr. Bruce Pringle and the members of Erindale Alliance Church. We also wish to express our gratitude to the staff at Preston Park II, in particular to the special care members who assisted her during her final months: Annalise Hanson, Fartun Hashi, Fatema Hoq, and Shelby Jeaneau.
Madeline had a life of selfless service to others and was involved in many charities and organizations. If you wish to make a donation in her memory, please make it to the charitable organization of your choice.
A Funeral Service and Celebration of Madeline’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Erindale Alliance Church (310 Perehudoff Crescent, Saskatoon, SK). Arrangements entrusted to Charmaine Menard.