Obituary for Terry Elizabeth Sparks (Snider)
Terry Elizabeth Sparks (Snider) was a nurturing and compassionate sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Terry passed on April 4, 2021, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late October, 2020. With her kind heart, her love of nature and her adventurous spirit, Terry touched the lives of many and will be forever in the hearts of her friends and family.
Terry was born May 24, 1954 in Elrose, SK, to Earl and Edna Snider. She was raised on the family farm in the Hughton area with her sister, Wanda Sanderson, and brother, Errin Snider. She attended school in Elrose before moving on to the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, where she earned her Teaching Certification in 1974 with a major in early childhood development. That same year, she married Larry Harold Sparks and created a bond of love, friendship, and happiness that would last the rest of her life. Together, they lived in Lethbridge and Brandon before settling in Melfort in 1978. Over the next 43 years, they planted deep roots and raised a beautiful family together.
Terry was passionate about both education and community service. A founding member of the Melfort Daycare, she became an early childhood educator at the Kiddie Korner Playschool and an Educational Assistant with the Melfort School Division. She later ran craft and gardening classes for children of all ages while managing a local greenhouse through the summer months. As a volunteer, she was a director and educator with the Canadian Cancer Society, President of the Tamarack Garden Club, on the board of directors for the Saskatchewan Horticultural Society, and a guiding member of the Melfort Memorial Gardens Committee. Also an active member of the Melfort Kinette Club for many years, Terry was recognized with an honorable Life Membership in 1996. Through all her years of dedicated service, she built strong ties in the community and lifelong friendships she treasured until the end.
More than anything, Terry loved spending time with her close friends, family, and flowers. She had a spirit of adventure that took her from canoes to motorcycles to airplanes and always back to her garden. She sought out long conversations, warm cups of coffee, comfortable places to curl up and read, and greenhouses through which to wander. She was a devoted grandmother who never hesitated to get her hands dirty planting flowers, building crafts or painting birdhouses with her grandchildren. Terry made the most of her retired years by spending time on the road with Larry, traveling between her daughter’s family in Winnipeg and son’s in Edmonton with the odd motorcycle adventure mixed in. She always went the extra mile not to miss a birthday or special event. Her time was too short, but not a moment was wasted.
Terry Elizabeth Sparks was loved by many, and her legacy of kindness and compassion will be continued by her husband, Larry; her daughter, Shannon (Chris); her sons, Steve (Grace) and Joel (Catherine); and her grandchildren, Kaden, Jada, Andrew, and Nicholas.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Melfort hospital for their empathy and caring in keeping Terry comfortable in her final days.
Donations to the Melfort Museum would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
A Graveside Service will be held at a later date when the world is allowed to travel again.
Terry was born May 24, 1954 in Elrose, SK, to Earl and Edna Snider. She was raised on the family farm in the Hughton area with her sister, Wanda Sanderson, and brother, Errin Snider. She attended school in Elrose before moving on to the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan, where she earned her Teaching Certification in 1974 with a major in early childhood development. That same year, she married Larry Harold Sparks and created a bond of love, friendship, and happiness that would last the rest of her life. Together, they lived in Lethbridge and Brandon before settling in Melfort in 1978. Over the next 43 years, they planted deep roots and raised a beautiful family together.
Terry was passionate about both education and community service. A founding member of the Melfort Daycare, she became an early childhood educator at the Kiddie Korner Playschool and an Educational Assistant with the Melfort School Division. She later ran craft and gardening classes for children of all ages while managing a local greenhouse through the summer months. As a volunteer, she was a director and educator with the Canadian Cancer Society, President of the Tamarack Garden Club, on the board of directors for the Saskatchewan Horticultural Society, and a guiding member of the Melfort Memorial Gardens Committee. Also an active member of the Melfort Kinette Club for many years, Terry was recognized with an honorable Life Membership in 1996. Through all her years of dedicated service, she built strong ties in the community and lifelong friendships she treasured until the end.
More than anything, Terry loved spending time with her close friends, family, and flowers. She had a spirit of adventure that took her from canoes to motorcycles to airplanes and always back to her garden. She sought out long conversations, warm cups of coffee, comfortable places to curl up and read, and greenhouses through which to wander. She was a devoted grandmother who never hesitated to get her hands dirty planting flowers, building crafts or painting birdhouses with her grandchildren. Terry made the most of her retired years by spending time on the road with Larry, traveling between her daughter’s family in Winnipeg and son’s in Edmonton with the odd motorcycle adventure mixed in. She always went the extra mile not to miss a birthday or special event. Her time was too short, but not a moment was wasted.
Terry Elizabeth Sparks was loved by many, and her legacy of kindness and compassion will be continued by her husband, Larry; her daughter, Shannon (Chris); her sons, Steve (Grace) and Joel (Catherine); and her grandchildren, Kaden, Jada, Andrew, and Nicholas.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Melfort hospital for their empathy and caring in keeping Terry comfortable in her final days.
Donations to the Melfort Museum would be appreciated in lieu of flowers.
A Graveside Service will be held at a later date when the world is allowed to travel again.