Edith Salaura Apps

Edith Salaura Apps (nee Robinson) was born in Saskatoon on June 10, 1926. She grew up in the Riversdale community of Saskatoon and attended King George Elementary and Bedford Road Collegiate. Edith enjoyed school and excelled in sports, particularly track and field events and speed skating, but was always willing to give any sport a try. Although she was very competitive in several track and field events, she never made it to the Olympics but would proudly tell you that her legs competed against an Olympian!

Growing up during the depression era wasn’t easy. To help keep food on the table, Edith’s parents would work as summer camp cooks. This provided an opportunity to escape from the city, providing many summer activities for Edith, her brother, Bob, and her sister, Ferne. It was during these summers that Edith developed a lifelong appreciation for nature and life out at the lake.

Edith was lovingly known to all as a stubbornly independent woman. While this may have been inborn, Edith did overcome many challenges which helped to solidify the trait. As a child, she suddenly became what she described as “the man of the family” when her father and brother went off to the war. Her mother certainly would not be caught anywhere near a ladder, so putting on the second story storm windows became just one of her many new jobs. Other circumstances and events during these war years helped strengthen her strong independent nature.

Edith held many jobs over the years - from working at the Sanitorium, to taking dictation for Dr. Ferguson as they traveled Saskatchewan in the TB bus, and serving as the first director of personnel at RUH (“her” hospital) when it was first built. On Valentine's Day, Edith became engaged to William “Frank” Apps, however, just two days later, she was called into her boss’s office and offered the opportunity to attend university in Chicago to further her training, fully paid by the hospital. Edith turned the hospital’s offer down, choosing instead to start a family - a decision she never regretted.

On August 17, 1957, Edith was married to Frank Apps at St. Thomas Wesley United Church. Since Frank was a veteran of the war, they decided to build a new home in Montgomery Place (a community reserved for veterans, on the west end of Saskatoon). Edith quickly became an integral part of the community and the development of the soon to be Trinity United Church. Much of her time was spent helping plan and organize both community and church events. The early 1960’s saw the addition of two new family members, in daughter Diane and son Ken.

Edith was widowed on February 7, 1979, and although this new chapter of her life was difficult she met the challenge head on. Edith was instrumental in the formation of one of Saskatoon’s first widows groups, with much time and energy devoted to planning social and travel events. She appreciated the company and companionship of the other widows and the comfort they shared with each other. Over the years, many bus trips across Canada and into the USA were enjoyed.

Edith’s last 40+ years were just as full and rewarding. She continued to be actively involved in church and community events, enjoyed time with friends, spent time traveling and was overjoyed to get to see her grand children grow up. The last several years were spent at Preston Park Retirement Villa where she continued to live independently and was an active participant in almost every event and activity offered. Strong willed as ever, still sharing her many stories and sense of humour, Edith spent her final few months comfortably at the Hospice at Glengarda and Stensrud Lodge in Saskatoon. She passed away on Sunday, February 18, 2024.

Truly, 97 years of life well lived!

A Memorial Tea will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at St. David’s Trinity United Church, Montgomery Place (3318 Merritt Street, Saskatoon).

Arrangements entrusted to Thea Katchmar.