Emily Baldwin

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our dear mother, Emily Baldwin, age 96, on Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Cypress Regional Hospital, Swift Current, SK.

Mom is survived by her children, Brenda Fahselt (Dana Zacharuk), Karen Baldwin, Don (Bev) Baldwin, and Celia Baldwin; her grandchildren, Ryan (Amy) Greenwood, Blair Greenwood, Neal Fahselt (Sadilyn Smith), Aaron (Kendra) Fahselt, Chad (Gena) Fahselt, Emily Bev Baldwin (Sean Martens), Shayla (Brad) Paquin, Keaton (Alicia) Dowdeswell, and Riley (Kim) Dowdeswell; her great-grandchildren, Madden and Marley Greenwood, Daylon Hope, Mackinon and Kye Fahselt, Owen and Lennix Paquin, and Leah Dowdeswell; brothers, Matt Krastel and Charles Krastel; and by many nieces and nephews.

Mom was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Harold Baldwin; her daughter, Beverly Greenwood; her great-grandson, Nixin Paquin; her parents, Wilhelm & Emilia Krastel; and by eleven of her siblings.

Emilia “Emily” Baldwin was born January 18, 1926 in Prelate, SK to Wilhelm & Emilia Krastel — the ninth of fourteen children. In 1934, her family moved to the Cabri, SK area and then in 1936, into the town of Cabri, where Mom grew up. She attended the Gavrelle School for two years and then Cabri School. From 1943 to 1946, Mom worked as a switchboard operator for Saskatchewan Telephones.

On October 13, 1946 Mom married Harold Baldwin in Cabri, where they raised their family, supporting and providing for us by means of farming. The early years of their marriage were not without hardships and due to crop failure, Mom and Dad spent three winters living in Calgary, AB where Dad found employment with various companies.

Throughout the years, aside from keeping busy caring for and raising five children, Mom was also active in her community. She was a member of the Cabri Hospital Auxiliary for many years, receiving a lifetime membership in 2014 for her dedicated service. She also devoted much of her time as a member of the UCW. A few of Mom’s passions were golfing, curling, and playing Bridge as a member of two Bridge clubs.

She always did a lot of sewing, especially when we were growing up — not only mending, but also making everyday clothes and costumes for a variety of events and activities we were involved in. And knitting! Many evenings we watched TV to the sound of the clicking of knitting needles, sometimes still clicking away as Mom was drifting off to sleep in her chair, and never missing a stitch!

Mom managed remarkably well after Dad passed away in 2015, despite being deemed legally blind and having a significant hearing deficit, as well as enduring joint and back pain caused by arthritis and a previous back compression fracture. But Mom never complained. She accepted what she was dealt and carried on with so much strength, courage and determination. Finally, in 2020, Mom faced the reality that she could no longer live independently and moved to Swift Current to live with her daughter, Brenda, until January 2022, when she moved in with her granddaughter, Emily Bev, and her fiancé, Sean.

We have been very blessed to have had our Mother for so long but losing her will leave a huge void in all our lives. Family was what mattered the most to Mom and being together was what brought her ultimate joy, pleasure, and contentment.

Your mother is always with you,

She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She’s the smell of bleach in freshly laundered socks.

She’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not well.

Your mother lives inside your laughter.

She is crystallized in every teardrop.

She’s the place you came from, your first home.

She’s the map you follow with every step that you take.

She’s your first love and your first heartbreak,

And nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, not space, not even death will ever separate you from your Mother.

You carry her inside of you.

The Celebration of Life for Emily Baldwin was held on Saturday, March 5, 2022 at 11:00 am from the Swift Current Funeral Home Chapel, Swift Current, SK with Emily’s daughter, Celia Baldwin, serving as MC. “In the Garden” and “How Great Thou Art” were sung by those in attendance with Emily’s daughter, Karen Baldwin, as pianist. Tributes were shared by Emily’s family. Special music was “One Little Candle,” played by Karen Baldwin. The service was recorded and can be viewed here.

The Private Family Interment for Emily Baldwin was held from Memory Gardens Cemetery, Swift Current with Emily’s grandchildren serving as the Honour Guard.

In memory of Emily Baldwin, donations made to the Cabri Hospital Auxiliary or Cabri Ice Centre would be appreciated by the family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Emily Baldwin, please visit our floral store.