MARLENE LILY NEAL
August 15th, 1951 – July 7th, 2013

Marlene Lily Neal, aged 61 years of Moose Jaw, SK, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 7th, 2013.  The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 13th, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the Alliance Church, 14 Neslia Place, Moose Jaw, SK.  Reverend Jean Morisset will officiate and interment will take place at Rosedale Cemetery.  She was predeceased by her mother, Gladys Bender; step-father, George Bender; father, Edward Clark; first husband, Walter Murray; 5 half-sisters; 2 half-brothers and brother-in-law, Bob Neal.  Marlene will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Ray Neal; daughters, Vicki (DJ) Bennett and Sonya (Chris) Hulgan; sons: Kirby (Sheila) Neal, Kevin Neal and Darryl (Michele) Neal; 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Barb (Ed) Erickson; brother, Pat (Mary-Anne) Clark; sisters-in-law, Isabel (John) Hofer and Bonnie Neal; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends.  Marlene was born and raised in Moose Jaw and attended Riverview Collegiate, where she met Walter Murray and they married in 1968.  They lived their first few years in Brooks, AB and later moved to Saskatoon where their first child Vicki was born.  Four years later, they had a second daughter Sonya.  When Walter passed away in 1984, Marlene and her girls moved back to her home town of Moose Jaw to be closer to her family.  Marlene worked at Woolco in Saskatoon and also Moose Jaw.  She later began working at Zellers when the store opened and remained there until her retirement in 2010.  Marlene made many friends at work and often talked about them as if they were family.  In 1989, on a blind date arranged by friends, Marlene met Ray Neal.  They immediately fell in love and were inseparable.  They married on May 19th, 1990 in a small service at Buffalo Pound Lake.  With Marlene’s 2 girls and Ray’s 3 boys, they became one big family.  Marlene always loved Buffalo Pound Lake.  She spent summers as a young girl with her sister Barb and brother-in-law Ed camping in tents.  Later, when she moved back to Moose Jaw, she purchased her own lot at the lake and moved a travel trailer onto it.  Marlene and the girls spent many weekends and summers enjoying lake life, fishing and boating, and also making many memorable nights by the campfire.  After Marlene and Ray were married, they decided to build their dream home together on a hill at the lake.  They spent 13 happy years in their new home enjoying the view of the lake from their deck.  In 2006, Marlene and Ray decided to make the big move back to the city.  They bought a home on south hill where she spent the last years of her life, enjoying her flowers and spending time with her beloved grandchildren.  Family was everything to Marlene and she loved her very large blended family more than anything.  We will miss you Mom.  Flowers are gratefully declined.  Donations in Marlene’s name may be made to The Moose Jaw Humane Society, Box 1658 Station Main, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 9Z9.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Todd Sjoberg, Funeral Director. 306-693-4550.