Blanche Lenora Cave

On October 28th, 2017, after a long and full life, Blanche Cave, loving mother, grandmother and friend, slipped peacefully away surrounded by her family and the loving caregivers at Holyrood Extendicare in Edmonton, AB. Blanche is survived by her daughter, Bernice and her husband Milton (Mick) Rempel in Edmonton, AB; son, Dick and his wife Sandra Cave in Crescent Beach, BC; grandchildren: Heather Rempel, Gordon Rempel and his wife Carleen Kyle and daughter Siobhán Rempel, Trevor Cave, Traci Cave and her husband Roger Hamerton and daughters Maxine Hamerton and Marli Hamerton; brother, Harold Moore (Jeanette) in San Antonio, TX.: brother-in-law Jack Cave (Eileen) in Calgary, AB. Blanche was  predeceased by her husband Chisholm (Chick) Cave in 2002 as well as her brother Roy and sister-in-law, Phyllis Moore.  Blanche was born in Fort William, ON June 21st, 1920.  When she was 12, she moved to Moose Jaw, SK with her parents and 2 brothers.  She married her high school sweetheart, Chisholm Cave on April 19th, 1940.  It was a close, loving relationship that lasted more than 62 years.  They enjoyed an active family and community life with their children, Bernice and Dick.  Their home was open and welcome to all.  Blanche was a “Railroader’s Wife”.  She anchored and guided her family through the unpredictable daily routines.  Through it all, she had a busy, active life in Moose Jaw, looking after the activities of the many committees associated with the schools, church, bowling, curling, and especially golfing in her later years.  Blanche was a life-long campaigner for social justice.  She was proud to have dedicated tireless hours to the CCF and NDP and their vision of honest, compassionate government.  She withstood much anger and hostility while campaigning for and pioneering the implementation of Medicare in Saskatchewan in 1962.  It was a loyalty that lasted her entire life.  She ran for Moose Jaw City Council in 1967, hoping to bring that kind of compassion to city government as well.  In 2008, health circumstances necessitated a move to Edmonton to be closer to family support.  While she missed Moose Jaw, she found that being an active Roughrider fan kept her close to the “old sod” – especially when she discovered other like-minded fans in Alberta to share her Rider Pride.  Blanche is best remembered for sharing encouragement, compassion, smiles and good feelings with everyone.  As was her lifelong practice, she continued to look for ways to help the other residents in Holyrood, even as her own health declined.  She always expressed her appreciation for the wonderful staff who provided her care.  She had a zest for life but she was at peace with dying at the end.  She left us a note to say “Don’t be sad, I’ve had a good life”.  Sharing kind words and smiles were her specialty.  Her legacy will continue if we adopt her practice of passing on kind thoughts, kind words and smiles every day.  A Celebration of Blanche’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 7th, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. in Moose Jaw Funeral Home.  Dave Foley will officiate and interment will take place in Rosedale Cemetery.  Flowers are gratefully declined.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Blanche’s name may be made to the The Canadian Diabetes Association, 917A Albert St, Regina, SK S4R 2P6 or the Salvation Army, 175 – 1st Ave NE, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0Y9.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director 306-693-4550