Elaine Mayer

The family of Elaine Mayer announces with sadness her peaceful passing on March 2, 2024 at age 83 after a lengthy illness. She is survived by her children: Holly (Marty), Cheryl (Lyle) and Judy, grandchildren Cayler, Abby, Keilen, Shane, and Melia, her brother Dalton Van Cleave, cherished niece Keely Gladiuk, former husband Charles (Charlie) Mayer, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Allan Bishop and Dorothy Van Cleave, brother Galen Van Cleave, sister Carol Millar and nephew Kevin Van Cleave.

Elaine was born November 28, 1940 in Saskatoon and completed all her schooling there, graduating from University of Saskatchewan with great distinction in 1962 from Home Economics and with great distinction from Education in 1966. Throughout her primary and secondary school years she excelled academically but also took part in extracurricular activities, including dance and girl guides. She was President of the Home Economic’s Students Organization in her senior year, and was awarded the Spirit of Youth trophy for that year as the outstanding woman student on the campus for leadership, sportsmanship, academic ability, character, and all round physical fitness. Through her university studies she became a talented seamstress, and made many of her own clothes, including her own wedding dress, her daughter Cheryl’s wedding dress, many skating dresses and costumes, baby quilts, and numerous other costumes and pieces of clothing for her children and grandchildren.

Elaine married Charlie Mayer in 1963 and they subsequently moved to a farm south of Carberry, Manitoba in 1966 that they named Forest Hills Ranch. Although farm life was new to her, she made a home of the old house she and Charlie first lived in, and her strong work ethic and talent in the kitchen meant that the hired men were fed very well. Following the arrival of her three daughters, she became a dedicated full-time mom while still playing an active role in the financial management of the farm, maintaining a large vegetable garden and keeping the farm yard looking good. As her daughters grew up Elaine became a respected and busy community volunteer as a Brownie leader, President of the Carberry Figure Skating Club, and although she had never skated, became a synchronized skating judge. She put her sewing talents to use often in the figure skating club and one year made and bejewelled dresses for the entire synchronized skating team. Her involvement with skating lasted beyond her daughters’ time as skaters in Carberry and was recognized by Skate Manitoba when she was awarded the Elizabeth Swan award for volunteer contributions.

In the later stages of her life Elaine lived in Brandon and then Winnipeg, where she turned her volunteer time and energy to the PEO organization. She made new friends through PEO but also continued to meet up with her Saskatoon childhood girlfriends every couple of years at various locations in western Canada. Elaine also taught cooking and sewing classes for adults. She cherished being a grandma and took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren, reading to them, watching them play sports as they got older and baking cookies with them.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Simkin Centre, who showed compassion and dignity for mom throughout her time there, particularly in her final days.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Kevin Van Cleave Memorial Scholarship fund at University of Saskatchewan (contact U of S Giving at 1-800-699-1907) or any cancer-related charity of your choice.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 20 at Oak Bluff Bible Church, at 11:00am. You are welcome to bring items that Elaine sewed or helped you sew, to help us showcase her talent.