It is with great sadness that we had to say goodbye to our wife and Mum Maureen Back on April 28, 2025 at the age of 82 following a short battle with cancer.
Mum was born in Prestwick, Scotland, on April 1, 1943. She was the only child born to Thomas Wilson Brown, who passed in 1978 and Janet Murray Brown (nee Stuart), who passed in 1980. Mum moved to Falkirk in 1948 when her dad took over ownership of his family’s pub, The Swan Inn. Mum attended Comley Park Primary School, followed by Falkirk High School from grade 7 to her grade 12 graduation. Mum was a member of the school choir and also her church choir.
After coming to Canada with her husband and two kids in 1974 and leaving her mum and dad, she found herself alone to raise her children. Rather than return to Scotland, she decided to stay in Canada and quickly found work with Legal Aid. She worked hard to make a life for herself and her kids. She instilled in us a strong work ethic and taught us so much, especially to not rely on anybody and to look after ourselves. She watched us make mistakes and had us learn from them, but most of all, she was always there to cheer us on as we knew whatever decisions we made, she would always support us. She always made it known how proud she was of her kids. And then came Emily - her absolute pride and joy. Emily could do no wrong in her Nana’s eyes. As Emily grew up and became a Respiratory Therapist, everyone in her world knew it.
Mum met our Dad in September of 1979, and they married in June of 1980. We moved to just outside a small town 60 miles from Swift Current. Then after a short time on the farm, our Dad decided to sell in 1981, and we moved back to Swift Current. Mum started working for the Crown Prosecutor, and retired in 2006. Our dad did everything to make mum happy. Never did a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Anniversary go by without him bringing her flowers. And at Christmas he always spoiled her with jewellery. He always made it a priority to look after her and he did that until the very end. You could always find mum playing games with us kids when we came to visit. She always enjoyed a good game of Sequence or Tile Rummy and playing the piano, especially at Christmas time.
Mum is predeceased by her cousin and best friend, Eleanor; Eleanor’s husband Andrew; mother and father-in-law Hedy and Martin Back; two sisters-in-law Anne Marquis and Marlene Lange; three brothers-in-law Ronald and Alan Back, Al Lange; niece Dawn and nephews Kyle and Neil.
Left to remember her are her loving husband Martin of 44 years; her son Chris Drummond and wife Cindy; her daughter Lorraine Mitzel and husband Rick; and her precious granddaughter Emily Gray. Mum also had four stepdaughters: Myra Back (David Burkitt), Rhonda Burkitt (Rodney), Tammy Reichert (Darrell), and Corriena Bakken; as well as their children Riana, Wyatt, Martin, Larissa, Kahle, Tori and Levi. She also leaves behind 6 great-grandchildren.
Also left to remember her are her brothers and sisters-in-law: Ann Back, Joe and Janet Back, Debbie Back and Greg Marquis.
As per Mum’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Agency.
Arrangements entrusted to Warren’s Funeral Home. For further information please call 1-306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606, or visit the website www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to family members on the tribute wall.