Obituary of Caryl Lee Gardiner

Caryl was born and raised in the Douglas Park area of Regina. She attened Douglas Park Public School and later graduated from Balfour Technical Collegiate in 1975. As a youngster Caryl made fond memories hanging out at “Boot Hill” with her neighbourhood friends, camping with her parents and brother Hugh at Echo Lake in their camper trailer; and visiting with grandparents and cousins in Bethune and Lajord. She enjoyed relaxing around the house, reading her favorite Harlequin romance novel while eating sun flowerseeds or potato chips. Following her high school graduation, Caryl began her career with the provincial government in the Departments of Health, Agriculture (Family Farm Improvement Branch), and Justice ( Public Trustees Office).

Caryl would meet her future husband Mike at a Saskatchewan Roughriders Pep Rally. After a couple years of dating and enjoying social gatherings with new found friends, they would get married in 1983 and reside at Flamingo Crescent in Whitmore Park. Over the next few years, they would enjoy the company of many wanderers and assorted “vagabonds” (friends) looking for a place to hang out for a day or two, or to just enjoy a meal and “socialize” (party), especially during football and hockey playoffs. They loved visiting with Marg and Wilf, Mike’s parents, or having happy hour on Friday nights at Bob and Marion’s where they had many delicious barbequed steak dinners. After 10 years of working with the Government, Caryl would set her sights on a career change while still working in retail and babysitting for friends and neighbours.

In 1987, a career change for Mike had them moving to London, Ontario where Caryl continued to work in retail. Clothes and makeup were two of Caryls favorite passions, so she loved working in a clothing gift shop and managing a cosmetic kiosk at Cherryhill Mall. Their stay in London was short lived as they decided moving out to the countryside might be in order. They packed their bags and moved to the community of Dutton-Dunwhich, which was just off the shores of Lake Erie and 30 minutes away from the city. Caryl started a new career working as a secretary in the office of the Director of the London & District Catholic School Board and became a member of the fundraising team for the Monsiegneur Feeney Foundation. There, they developed and administered the very successful Fantasy Home Lottery Project. They started two new businesses in the village, Country Rose Fabrics and The Country Rose Bed and Breakfast.

Both Caryl and Mike had family roots in the surrounding areas of London in Perth Huron and Durham counties where their grandparents came from. They spent a lot of time visiting with friends and relatives in St. Thomas and Port Stanley as well as Exeter Ontario. Mike’s sister Susan and brother Jim lived in the Ottawa area. An old Bienfait friend of theirs, along with their family, lived in Brampton, which means they travelled and did lots of sightseeing while living in Southwestern Ontario. Of course anytime the Riders were in the area, football excursions to Hamilton, Toronto or Ottawa were a regular event.

Both Mike and Caryl were very involved in their community. Mike was a member of Dutton & District Lions Club and the Village Council. Caryl would Join Mike on the board of the Dutton Dunwich Chamber of Commerce. They both served on the boards of Riding Associations both Federally and Provincially, for the Liberal Party of Ontario in the City of London and County of Elgin, where they were successful team members electing their candidates in multiple elections.

After 17 years of living in Ontario, Caryl and Mike would move back home to Regina in 2003 and reconnect once again with family and friends. They both started working at the Sears Contact Centre, while Caryl also worked with Regina Housing, The Bay, and Saskatchewan Liquor & Gaming.

Caryl entered a new challenge in her life when she would be diagnosed with late-onset Schizophrenia. She met this challenge by seeking help from the Schizophrenia Society of Saskatchewan where became a volunteer. Caryl was such a valuable mentor and team member, sharing her life experience with individuals who live with psychosis-related illnesses to guide and support them.

During the last years of her life, Caryl loved spending her time listening and memorizing her favorite rock songs on Jack FM, socializing with friends, and lounging outside with Mike on their deck with a glass of wine or cup of coffee while enjoying the day and watching the birds in the bird feeder. Caryl’s friendly persona and grace, along with her valuable teamwork and organizational skills will be missed by all who knew her.