Angele (“Angie”) Agnes Mate

On the winter’s day of January 28th, 1933, Angele Agnes Riou was born to Herminie and Casimir Riou in Arborfield, Saskatchewan, into the middle of a family that would grow to include nine children. Upon completing the explorations of childhood – and high school – Angele joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and, after postings across Canada, was ultimately stationed in Germany. From there, while on leave, she adventurously travelled widely through southern and western Europe, and northern Africa, accumulating experiences that would one day be recounted in tales to amuse her friends and family. After six years of service, Angele returned home, to Canada, working a variety of jobs in various locations, and met Frank Mate, whom she would eventually marry. Angele traded the previous life of travel and adventure for a quiet life on the farm in the Mistatim district where, along with cattle and crops, a small family grew: Three sons – Peter, Tony, and Michael - were all lovingly incorporated into the family as they appeared. Although raising children and performing household duties occupied Angele’s time, she worked part-time off the farm as opportunities arose. She enjoyed volunteering with the Air Cadets, sharing her air force experience positively with youth. Angele became treasurer of the Prairie River seniors club, a position she held for many years.

After experiencing the full range of joys and sorrows that farm life offers, the couple retired to Hudson Bay, where shortly after Angele became widowed. Angele continued to live on her own until gradually deteriorating health forced her into the local long term care home, where she enjoyably spent the final years of her life.

Angele was predeceased by six brothers - Antoine, Joseph, Louis, Andrew, Marc, and Frank - and one sister, Madeleine. She is survived by one brother, Michel, and her sons and their families: Peter, his wife Leanne, and their sons Matthew, Patrick, and Jacob; Tony, his wife Cynthia, and their children Mallory and Louis; and her youngest son Michael.

Angele will be remembered as a loving and selfless mother, an endless source of arcane knowledge, and a wise, sympathetic counsel to those in need. Her sense of inventiveness and ability to solve problems and complex puzzles will forever amaze all who knew her. She greatly enjoyed and appreciated her grandchildren. Angele’s bright and cheerful spirit was well known in the local community, as was her passion for the Blue Jays and Roughriders, and she will be deeply missed. Those seeking to honour Angele are encouraged to donate to her favourite charity, Operation Smile, which offers help for children with congenital facial deformities (www.operationsmile.ca).