MAVIS IRENE STEGEN

January 21, 1931 ~ January 30, 2019

Mavis Irene Stegen passed away peacefully at The Good Samaritan Society in Medicine Hat on Wednesday January 30, 2019, at the age of 88 years. Mavis leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband, Ben and her two children, Carol (Dale) and Grant (Leanne). She was so very proud of her grandchildren: Jenna (Rory), Tiffany, Todd, Carly, Kayla, Janelle and her two great-grandsons, Ben and Luke. Mavis is also survived by her brother, Hugh Giffard and her niece, Marjorie (Gerald) Kornelson. Mavis was predeceased by her parents, Rosalind and Alan Giffard, three brothers-in-law, Harry Stegen, Leonard Stegen, Norman Stegen, sister-in-law, Alice Stegen and a very special niece, Marilyn Ross.

Mavis was born January 21, 1931 in England and survived WWII during her childhood years. She took her Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and after teaching several years in England, decided it was time to embark on an exciting adventure, travelling and teaching around the world. She came to Canada in 1958, and was given a teaching assignment in Jenner, AB where she met the love of her life, Ben. They were married the following year in England and returned first to Iddesleigh, AB, then later to the ranch east of Jenner to make their home and raise their two children, Carol and Grant.

Over the years, Mavis taught at Jenner, Patricia, Ralston, Buffalo and the Jenner Colony. She was very involved in the Rainy Hills Lutheran Church, Toastmasters in Brooks, and was the I & J Gas Coop Manager for many years. Mavis loved being part of the LAMP ministry that flew into remote communities in the north to teach Vacation Bible School. She happily put on many miles driving her children to 4-H, piano lessons, rodeo and hockey.

Mavis visited England many times over the years and especially loved to spend time in the Lake District where she could be found doing 10-15 km hikes, even at the remarkable age of 80. She also hiked in Northern Ontario and in Austria with a like-minded group of ladies who called themselves the “Tough Old Birds”.

After Mavis and Ben retired to Medicine Hat in 1995, she continued to stay busy and was involved in the Unity Lutheran Church and the Alberta Synod. She was also a steady volunteer at the Medicine Hat SPCA where she could be found walking dogs and organizing Bingos, as well as being on the Board of Directors. After her sudden stroke in 2012, Mavis’ busy lifestyle changed, but she continued to enjoy time with her family, and loved her visits from her little grand dog, Myah.

Mavis had a smile that would light up a room and was always happy to contribute her time and unique organizational skills to any person or group that needed her.

A Celebration of Mavis’ life will be held at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901-13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. with Diaconal Minister Lila de Waal officiating. Memorial donations in Mavis’ name may be made to the SPCA, 55 Southwest Dr. SW, Medicine Hat AB, T1A 8E8; Rainy Hills Lutheran Church, Box 216, Jenner, AB T0J 1W0; or The Good Samaritan Society, 550 Spruce Way SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1B 4P1. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455