July 12, 1914 – March 13, 2012

Doris “Edna” Frith

Doris Edna Frith (nee Silver), passed away peacefully in her 98th year, at the Victoria Hospital, Prince Albert, on Tuesday, March 13th, 2012. Mourning Edna’s passing are seven sons and daughters, Eldean Hamel (Tom), Edwin Frith (Joan), Larry Frith (Jan), Wendy Frith (Carol), Patrick Frith (Connie), Russell Frith (Joanne), and Kathleen Dvorak (Michael), fifteen grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, and one sister Eleanor Brown. Edna was pre-deceased by her husband, Raymond (1983), and her son Rodney (Alice) (2009). Edna was born into a large pioneer family homesteading in the Chamberlain-Aylesbury district of Saskatchewan, north of Regina, in the early 1900’s. She often spoke fondly of girlhood times spent berry picking in the coulees, swimming in a nearby lake, horseback riding, attending community dances, gardening and farming the land with her parents and siblings. In the early 1930’s the Silver family re-settled in the Colleston district east of Prince Albert, moving north in order to avoid the devastating prairie drought. Here she met and married Raymond Frith of Prince Albert, and they settled in Russellville to farm and raise their family of eight. Edna’s family were her pride and joy, and although those farming years were not easy, she shone with the sense of humour, steadfast practicality, and love of the land that came from her pioneer origins. She valued education and encouraged her children to go on to University if they were interested, however, what was most important to her was that they be happy in whatever life they chose and that they stayed in touch with family. A community minded woman, Edna was for many years an active member of the Women’s Section of the P.A. Agricultural Exhibition. These women organized an increasingly large number of displays and competitions every year, as the Exhibition grew over the years. As well, Edna was a member of the local Homemakers group which met regularly in each others homes. This group consisted of farm wives supporting each other through the challenges in their lives, as well as enjoying each others baking and humorous stories. She was also an active member of the Colleston United Church, attending regularly, contributing to maintenance and repair work bees, and bringing her best recipes to the famous “fowl supper” fundraisers. This rural church was a much sought after posting for student ministers every summer, due to the welcoming, supportive, and appreciative community of parishioners it served. These busy years of raising and providing for her family included producing a large vegetable garden, putting up fruit, vegetables and meat for winter, tending a large flock of chickens for eggs and meat, milking cows, making soap, baking many loaves of bread, knitting and making clothes for the family. Still, Edna found time to perfect her wine making skills, producing quality wines from the local berries she loved to pick. As her family grew and left home, and with more time available for other pursuits, Edna collected antique furniture and worked with her husband on refinishing projects. She revived a lifelong interest in rocks through joining a local rock polishing club. She also studied drawing and painting, volunteered at the local hospital, and enjoyed the grandchildren, and then great-grandchildren, as they arrived. Other favourite activities were knitting (especially puppets!), doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, reading, and collecting poems and stories. She loved to gather her family around her, with everyone eating and laughing together. After supporting her husband through long illness, and following his death, Edna realized a lifelong dream to visit Scotland, and then continued to enjoy travel. She toured Maritime Canada, took an Alaskan cruise, visited her ancestral homestead in Craik, attended the Vancouver Expo with her sisters, and vacationed on Whidbey Island on the west coast. At home, she continued to enjoy visits with family, friends and neighbours, and maintained a lively interest in current national and world events. As the challenges of advanced age narrowed her world, she faced those years as she had lived her life, with courage, strength, and most of all, her sense of humour. Edna will be always loved and sadly missed by her family and community. At her request, there will be a private family gathering, to celebrate her life, held at a later date. Family and friends may send email condolences to www.riverparkfuneral.ca and donations in her honour may be made to Victoria Hospital, 1200 – 24th St. West, Prince Albert, SK, S6V 5T4. The family wish to thank Dr. Unsworth at the P.A. Community Clinic, staff and residents of Kopera’s Care Home on 3rd Ave. E., and the staff of Victoria Hospital, for their compassionate care of Edna during her declining weeks. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Don Moriarty, Funeral Director The Watcher (a poem by Margaret Widdener from Edna’s collection)

She always leaned to watch for us Anxious if we were late In winter by the window In summer by the gate

And though we mocked her tenderly Who had such foolish care The long way home would seem more safe Because she waited there.

Her thoughts were all so full of us She never could forget And so I think that where she is She must be watching yet.

Waiting ‘til we come home to her Anxious if we are late Watching from Heaven’s window Leaning from Heaven’s gate.

• Date : 2012-03-13 06:00:00
• Location : Prince Albert, SK