Obituary of Dean Elizabeth Mayberry

Dean Elizabeth Mayberry passed away on May 15, 2023, at the Hanna Long Term Care Facility, I Hanna, Alberta, at the age of 93.

She was born on February 2, 1930, in Cereal, Alberta to parents Norman and Lilian Courts. Dean was the youngest of four siblings: Gwen, Leona, Burnell, and Fernley.

Her family lived in the Rearville Post office, which her parents ran, and Dean attended school at the Langford School until she was fourteen and going into grade nine.  This grade was not taught at Langford school, so they moved to Chinook, Alberta, where Dean went to high school. After high school Dean worked at a telephone office in Oyen. She lived in Chinook until her family moved to Hanna in 1951.

Dean had a strong love for horses. At the age of fifteen, she started breaking and raising horses. When Dean was twenty-one, she attended the Calgary International Horse Show. It was here where she fell in love with Arabian Horses and vowed that someday she would own an Arabian horse. Her dream did later come true; at one time Russ and Dean owned thirteen Arabian horses!

On September 30, 1956, Dean married Russel Mayberry and they raised and showed horses.  They were very successful during their show years and have many trophies and ribbons to show for their hard work and winnings. They also started their own Charter Bus service called “Pegasus Charter Tours”. They travelled across Canada and the US in the Pegasus Charter as bus drivers.  One of her most memorable trips was to Alaska.

Together, they drove countless hours and trips for Hanna Minor hockey teams over the years. Although Dean and Russ never had children of their own, they always enjoyed the kids that were on the bus for hockey games.

Dean founded the first Barrel Racing Association in Canada in 1957. This association later became the Canadian Girls Rodeo Association. She also founded the Big Country Riding and Roping Club of Hanna, Alberta.

The 4-H horse Club was a big part of Dean’s life. She was a leader of The Hanna Prairie Riders 4-H Club for more than nine years.

In 2016, Russ passed away and in 2018 Dean moved to Hanna Long Term Care, where she resided until her passing.

She is survived by her sister-in-law Arlene Turner and many nieces and nephews. Dean will be deeply missed by all those that knew her.

 If desired, donations in Dean’s memory can be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Hanna Funeral Services has been entrusted with the care and arrangements, 403-854-5956, www.hannafuneral.ca.