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Gayle Birtles
In Memory of
Gayle Arlene
Birtles
1942 - 2020
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Obituary for Gayle Arlene Birtles

Gayle Arlene  Birtles
Gayle Arlene Birtles (nee Clark)
Aug 23, 1942 - Nov 15, 2020

It is with profound sadness that the family announce the sudden passing of our beloved Gayle Arlene Birtles of Chelan, SK on November 15, 2020 at the age of 78 years. Her warm smile, zest for life, and welcoming demeanor will be dearly missed by all who knew her as both family or friend. Gayle was born on August 23, 1942 in Tisdale, SK to parents Bertha and Robert Gordon Clark. She and her sister Sharon were raised by her mother as her father passed away while serving in WWII. She completed her education in Tisdale, SK where she would also meet Hugh Birtles, whom she married on September 30th, 1960 and would remain happily together with for the next 50 years. To this union four children were born: Rocky, Lorrie, Sherlynn, and Kelly. Gayle was a very hardworking and devoted mother who held a deep and unwavering love for her children and family alike.


The start of Gayle and Hugh's married life began on the farm in Chelan, SK, where they raised cattle and farmed grain. The two plus their children eventually made their way to Swan River, MB where they enjoyed raising and racing thoroughbred horses. After a few years of this adventure, life offered the couple another opportunity, so they packed their bags once more and travelled to Brandon, MB to run a motel together. Though they may have called many places home, they would ultimately return to their farm to stay and spend many happy years with family and friends. Throughout her life, Gayle's love for travel and constant curiosity lead her to pursue studying language at Brandon University. This admiration for languages inspired her to explore many different places and cultures, including Nova Scotia, Norway, Italy, Switzerland, England, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, and to venture across Canada and the USA. Gayle was a woman of many talents, one of which was her appreciation of all forms of music; she herself played and sang in the family band alongside her husband and children in several provinces for many dances and events.

In her life, Gayle had many personal hobbies, one of her favourites being gardening. She had quite the "green thumb" and took great pride in her large garden which she always kept meticulously clean and free of weeds with her teaspoon. She was an equally talented cook and baker with a passion for many types of food including her native heritage Norwegian dishes. Over the years, family and visitors alike all enjoyed sharing one of her meals over good conversation, laughter, and company, as well, of course, several cups of strong coffee! There was never a better feeling to Gayle than having her loved ones close by, and nothing more important in the world to her than the wellbeing of her family. Gayle was predeceased by her husband, Hugh Birtles and her parents, Bertha Alicia (nee Svennes) Clark and Robert Gordon Clark. Gayle is survived by her children, Rocky Birtles, Lorrie (Robert) Parsons, Sherlynn Birtles, Kelly (Liz) Birtles; her sister, Sharon Pochipinski; her sisters-in-law Joan Tessmer, Winnie Lungul, Connie (Vic) Rousson; her brother-in-law Ken (Eileen) Danyluk; her grandchildren Cory, Collin, Alyshia, Devon, Brittany, Bailey; as well as great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and countless friends. Her memory will be forever cherished in our hearts. A celebration of Gayle's life will be held at a later date. Donations in memory of Gayle can be given to Porcupine Plain/Carragana Hospital Memorial Fund or S.T.A.R.S Air Ambulance.
Book of Memories
306-278-2202 Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
P.O. Box 524
Porcupine Plain, SK S0E 1H0
Email: blairsfuneralhome@sasktel.net
Blair's Funeral Home
640 Churchill Street
Hudson Bay, SK S0E 1Y0
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Blair's Funeral Home
205 - 1st Avenue West
Kelvington, SK S0A 1W0
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306-278-2202 Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
P.O. Box 524
Porcupine Plain, SK S0E 1H0
Email: blairsfuneralhome@sasktel.net
306-278-2202 Blair's Funeral Home Ltd.
P.O. Box 524
Porcupine Plain, SK S0E 1H0
Email: blairsfuneralhome@sasktel.net
Proudly Serving the Communities of Porcupine Plain, Hudson Bay, Kelvington, Prairie River, Mistatim, Peesane, Weekes, Somme, Carragana, Chelan, and Bjorkd