September 21, 1915 ~ November 28, 2011
Mavis was born to John and Alice Moret on a farm near Fiske, Saskatchewan, the third of seven children. The family struggled through the hard times in rural Saskatchewan with little money but plenty of love and “make your own fun.” Mavis boarded with a family in Saskatoon and looked after their young child so she could attend High School. In 1939 she graduated as a Registered Nurse from St. Paul’s Hospital, Saskatoon and married her sweetheart, Walter Worthington.
Mavis and Walt lived in Perdue Sask. for all their married life and raised their family of four children – Joan, Jim, Neil and Norah. With no hospital and often no doctor in town, Mavis’ nursing skills soon proved invaluable to the community. Patching up an injured hockey player after a Saturday night game, providing injections for diabetics and opening up her home for the arrival of a new baby were routine for Mavis. She also worked at the family business, Worthington’s Ltd., for many years as the bookkeeper, secretary and rural mail route driver as well as being an active member in many volunteer community organizations. Fun times were most often spent camping or going to the family cabin at Loon Lake with friends and relatives.
Walt passed away suddenly in 1972 and a few years later Mavis decided it was time to retire. She moved to Blind Bay, BC in the Shuswap area where she lived for the next 25 years. Although Mavis was never really athletic and had never owned her own bike, an article in the newspaper about the formation of a Seniors’ Cross Canada Biking Club roused the adventurer in her. She joined the group, bought a bike, trained for months, and in 1983 she rode across Canada with the honour of being the oldest member of the group to successfully cycle from Victoria B.C. to St. John’s Newfoundland. She was 68 years old, and as Mavis would proudly recount “Never once did I ride in the ‘Saggin Wagon’!” This first adventure led to more wonderful cycling trips including Australia and New Zealand, the U.S. and several “short” jaunts throughout Western Canada.
Mavis was a proud Canadian, and loved to read about the history, geology, geography and politics of our great county. She was also an accomplished quilter and knitter, and her many quilts and mitts keep many of her family and friends warm today.
In 2005, Mavis moved to the Sunshine Coast to live with her daughter Norah. Mavis was predeceased by her husband Walter, her daughter Joan and her six siblings Evelyn, Jack, Rosemary, Bessie, Millie and Jean. She is survived by her children Jim, Neil and Norah, her grandchildren Bob, Don, Shelley, Chris, Joe, Alexa and Heather, her great-grandchildren Jessica, Tyler, Emily, Maeve and Zoe, as well as her brother-in-law Hugh Johnston and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family.
The family is so grateful for the wonderful care that Mavis received in the past few months and would like to thank Dr. Jeannette Gibbons, whom Mavis adored, the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, the S.C. Home Support workers and the staff at Shorncliffe for their tremendous care and compassion. In keeping with Mavis’ wishes, her ashes will be laid to rest next to her husband Walter, in Perdue. A family Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to St. Mary’s Hospital, Sechelt.