Star Phoenix Obituary

Welcome to the wonderfully weird world of the Star Phoenix Obituary! You might think reading obituaries is a downer, but trust us—this is the most uplifting daily habit you can adopt. Nestled in the pages of a Saskatchewan newspaper, the Star Phoenix’s obituary section is a treasure chest of real-life stories, forgotten characters, and the kind of quirky details you won’t find anywhere else. It’s less about death and more about celebrating the wild, wonderful lives people actually lived—from champion beet growers to unpaid town historians.

Its purpose is simple: honor the dead by sharing their unique humanity. The advantage? You get a masterclass in storytelling, community history, and even practical wisdom. One obituary might reveal how a farmer built an airplane in his barn; another teaches you the secret to a 60-year marriage. It’s like having a front-row seat to the hidden lives of your neighbors, minus the awkward small talk.

Let’s dive into some creative ideas. Imagine using the obits as writing prompts: “Write a comedy sketch about a woman who loved feeding squirrels until they ran her mail carrier out of town” (yes, that’s a real Star Phoenix obituary). Or start a game of “Cemetery Bingo”—spot common phrases like “passed peacefully” versus the rare “died doing what they loved” (unicycling, naturally). You can even curate a playlist based on the songs families request, from Johnny Cash to polka classics.

Another goldmine is local history. The Star Phoenix has been printing since 1902, so its obituaries are a time machine. One week, you’ll read about a WWII veteran who smuggled silk stockings; the next, a librarian who wrote secret poetry in book margins. Clip your favorites and turn them into a zine or a family trivia night. You’ll be surprised how many “boring” lives hide adventures.

ASHLEE “ASHER PHOENIX” MAY | Obituaries | marysvilleonline.net

Ready to try it yourself? Start by reading for joy, not sorrow. Pick one obituary a day from the Star Phoenix online. Look for the “Character Detail”—maybe they collected vintage teapots or debated politics at the local diner. Share the funniest one at dinner. You can also play “Life Comparison”—compare your hobbies to theirs (they gardened for 50 years; you’ve kept a succulent alive for three weeks). It’s humbling and hilarious.

For a deeper dive, write a fictional sequel. Take a two-line obituary about “George, who loved pigeons” and imagine his secret life. Did he train them for a spy ring? Compete in pigeon pageants? The Star Phoenix obituaries are a launchpad for your own creativity. They’re proof that everyone has a story—and that every story is worth celebrating, even the one about the guy who named his pet moose “Dinner.”