Moira Gautron (nee Mary Kathleen Blighe), of Battleford, Saskatchewan, died peacefully February 1, 2025 under the exceptional care and compassion of the staff at the Maidstone Hospital. Predeceased by her loving husband Maurice, her parents Thomas and Catherine Blighe, brother Dermot Blythe, and sisters Madeleine Honan and Carmel O’Brien. Much loved mother of Aileen (Calgary), Paul (Heather) (Oberammergau, Germany), and Shane (Battleford). Moira will be greatly missed by her much loved grandchildren Cian and Cormac Reader, and Cait and Connor Gautron, brother Vinny Blythe (Sligo, Ireland), sisters Rosaleen Jones (Sligo, Ireland) and Aileen Lowery (Dublin, Ireland), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, care companions, and her many friends.

Moira grew up on the west coast of Ireland in Enniscrone and Sligo before she moved away from home to go into nursing. She completed her training, in Romford, near London, England. At the time, there was a shortage of nurses, and recruiters were looking overseas for staff. In November of 1960, she set off with friends for Canada, landing in Halifax, N.S., and travelling across the country by train to work in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. There she met and married her love Maurice, a French Canadian, in 1962. In 1965, with their two oldest children in tow, they moved north to Churchill, Manitoba. While residing there, they welcomed the addition of their third child. In 1973, they took a transfer to North Battleford, Saskatchewan.

It was in the Battlefords where Moira began to really focus on her career. Best known in the community for her many years working and teaching in the mental health field. She was the director of the Saskatchewan Hospital for 20 years and served as the district manager for mental health for the Battlefords Health District. She retired in 2002, but continued contributing to the community as a member of the Mental Health Review Panel.

Within the community, Moira was well-known, well-liked, and quite unforgettable – an anomaly in the prairie towns – a tiny spitfire, with an Irish lilt. Strong willed and independent. She had a love for books, poetry, and words, and was known for her stylish clothes, perfume and potions, jewels, and shoes. She loved to tease and flirt with everyone she came in contact with, and enjoyed a good debate. She enjoyed travelling – always up for an adventure – making trips back to Ireland, to Europe, Mexico, Australia, the U.S., and locations within Canada from coast to coast, making friends wherever she went. Always active, she loved gardening, aquacize, and walking with her favourite furry companion Opus. Not a baker, but a good cook. She loved a good red wine in a crystal glass, and a good laugh with friends.

In Moira’s favourite closing message, Love and Blessings.

Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Eternal Memories Garden Chapel, 1332 100 St. North Battleford, SK.

Funeral services for Moira will be held 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2025 at St. Vitals Roman Catholic Church 11-18th St. East, Battleford, Saskatchewan. A graveside memorial and internment will be planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, or to Maidstone Health Care Auxiliary, PO Box 544, Maidstone, Saskatchewan, S0M 1M0.

Read her story in her own words: https://www.sasktoday.ca/north/in-the-community/moira-gautron-yeats-says-it-all-4044156

Arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium – Larissa Wack Apprentice Funeral Director.

• Date : 2025-02-05
• Location : Battleford, SK