Sadie Gertrude Sarmaga (nee Gaboury), resident of Grande Prairie, AB, was born February 29, 1924, in Rosthern, SK, and passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, in Grande Prairie, at the age of 97 years.

Sadie finished her schooling in Grande Prairie and then teacher training in Normal School in Edmonton, AB. For the 1942-43 term, she taught in a one-room school at Tranquility and then at Fitzsimmons School for the term 1943-44. During this 2nd year of teaching, she married John Sarmaga on October 30, 1943, on his extended leave from army service.

During the next years 14 years she stayed at home to raise her 5 children, and to help John on the farm northeast of Bezanson, AB. Sadie also enjoyed working outside in her garden and greenhouse, plus indulging in her favorite pastime of honing her horseshoe skills whenever she could persuade John to be her opponent.

Both Sadie and John continued those spirited and highly competitive horseshoe matches throughout their retirement years. Sadie also enjoyed sewing and needlework whenever she could fit it into her busy life.

Sadie returned to teaching the younger grades in Bezanson, after Audrey was born, where she also filled the position of Principal for a number of years. She later taught Grade 2 at Harry Balfour School in Grande Prairie until her retirement in 1980.

Her students and grandchildren alike remember and fondly describe Sadie as an easy-going, accepting and nurturing soul who took the time to notice, listen, and make each of them feel special and important.

She doted on her grandchildren in her later years, creating and participating in activities they enjoyed, and never allowing them to say the B word (bored) as it was not in Grandma's vocabulary.

Sadie and John were strong members and faithful supporters of the various early churches in Bezanson. Sadie taught Sunday School for many years and was a dependable volunteer in a number of positions on their Boards. They attended and supported the Bezanson Community Church until they left the farm and moved to Grande Prairie in 1998.

Throughout their retirement, Sadie loved exploring new and favorite places with John in their truck and camper, and later in their motorhome. They especially enjoyed Jasper, AB, and the mountains, but made a number of longer trips to visit relatives in Windsor, ON, and Dauphin, MB.

Sadie lived with dementia for the last 20 years of her life in Heritage Lodge, the Grande Prairie Care Centre, and then for the past 4 years at Prairie Lakes Continuing Care Home. In this facility, she received dignified and compassionate care that the family has greatly appreciated. and will be eternally grateful for.

Surviving to treasure her memory are; her daughter Maxine (David Bleile), grandsons Tom Maxwell, Rudy (Allison) Maxwell and great-granddaughters Maria and Jenna; her daughter Donna, granddaughter Michelle (Glenn Lynn) and great-granddaughter Christina Bedard, grandson Jamin Bedard (Kaylyn), great-granddaughters Ava and Rayne, granddaughter Angela (Hugh Dyer), great-granddaughter River Sadie; her son Grant, grandsons Jeremy and Daron; her son, Gene (Karen), grandson Clinton (Kelly) and great-grandson Jaxson, grandsons Jerad (Nicole) and Steven (Alisha); her daughter Audrey (Rick Curran), and grandsons Isaac and Jonathan.

She was predeceased by her husband John Sarmaga in 2005; her parents Eugene Gaboury and Mary Lemky; four siblings and their spouses: William “Billy”, Albert “Bud” (Lucille Steeves), Lawrence (Faye Coney), and Alice (Fred “Buster” Jennings); her in-laws: Steve Sarmaga and Mary Boyarchuk, Stanley Sarmaga (Juanita Herrick) and Anna “Ann” Sarmaga (Robert “Bob” Herrick).

Due to Covid restrictions, a private funeral and interment will take place at Glen Leslie Church and Cemetery on September 24, 2021.

Memorial donations may be made locally Alzheimer Society of Alberta and NWT (102 – 9823 116 Ave., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 4B4), or to Alzheimer Society of Canada (20 Eglinton Ave. W., Ste. 1600 Toronto, ON, M4R 1K8).