The Pierson family needs no introduction in Estevan.
Known in the community, they are one of the pillars of the city. The community spirit and work ethic have always run in the family, however, the dedication of one "kick-ass" member stands out even more, as for years that woman was finding all ways possible to make Estevan a better place for generations living and the ones to come.
As a part of our Women of Estevan special, the Mercury spoke to Melodye Pierson, Estevan's biggest fan, about her love for the city and the ways she chose to show this love.
Melodye's parents met during the Second World War, when her father, born at the Taylorton mine, was overseas. He brought his young wife, who was six months pregnant, from England and they settled in his hometown. Estevan wasn't as developed back then, but the family stayed to make it better for themselves and their children.
"There wasn't much in Estevan then, and I always said to (my mom), 'I'm surprised you didn't get back on the train.' And, and she said, 'I loved him.' It couldn't be any simpler than that," recalled Melodye.
Business was always a part of Melodye's life. Her parents have been working hard not only to make a living but also to ensure others could make a good living here as well. It was through hard and continuous work that they passed many life principles over to the next generation.
"Our employees became like family, and my dad always told us, in life generally, that we were not one bit better than anybody else. He taught me so many basics. So did my mom," remembered Melodye.
"I never forget him saying, 'You can never expect any of our employees to do anything that you would not do yourself.' Just common sense, things like that resonated with me."
That approach built into the family's businesses affected the further choices. While love for the community has been a part of Melodye's life since the early stages, not always was she living here. Melodye received a secretarial degree, met her husband Bert and they lived in Winnipeg for 11 years.
She recalls years in Manitoba's capital with warmth. Bert's family was from there, and she had some great work experiences and they made many friends, but Estevan kept calling them back.
"My husband and I both wanted to raise our kids in a small community. And my dad really wanted (Bert) to come work here. Of course, the rest of my family was here and I couldn't wait to get back ... I had really missed it because, it's hard to explain, but you're just so proud of how everybody takes care of everybody else and tries to make it better."
Once they came back, Estevan became their one and only community. The city and the people here taught Melodye many life lessons she passed over to their children.
"I grew up in business, seeing a lot of our employees being single parents, but they were very determined to make it work. I saw so many great examples of people that struggled, but they always wanted to be better. They didn't have half as much but thought they had twice as much."
Customers and employees enriched her life, and she always was a person who would give back to the community. Melodye couldn't recall when her love for the city took a shape of volunteering, as it was always a natural part of life.
"I was just raised with it. My mom and dad volunteered … And we just enjoyed it. It wasn't something we had to do, we wanted to be along for the ride."
The fact that despite all possible challenges the community would always step up to a cause and support many initiatives made this love feel absolutely mutual.
"It's just fascinating to me to see so many people giving their time, not expecting any recognition, wanting to pull that thing more than just a commitment … Even in our schools, you see the community ethic, where people want to give back. And I just think it's a perfect fit. I was blessed to have my kids grow up in this community."
Melodye and Bert's two sons soaked that community ethic and also chose Estevan as a place to raise their own families. Jeff Pierson is the general manager at Days Inn, while Brad Pierson holds the same position at Murray GM Estevan, and they both also follow the family's volunteering traditions.
"I look at my kids and just see how much it enriches them … They both love it because they see how everybody working together makes things better for the community.
"Everybody here believes in the community and wants to make it better. And I just love it."
Volunteering has always been a big part of her life. When the kids were small, Melodye partook in projects pertaining to them.
Since the mid-1970s, the family has been involved with hockey. She and Bert were long-time billets; she remained a billet after he passed away in 2018.
"We've had a lot of kids, incredible kids come through our lives. And we just love that. Both my kids billet. And now my grandson (Ryder) plays for Bruins.
"I always try and treat kids like I'd want somebody to treat my kids if they went away. It's not like you're volunteering, you're just making them part of you. You're not their family, but you're there, you're taking care of them while their family isn't here."
The relationship they built with many players went beyond the Bruins' years.
More than 20 years ago, Melodye's family along with other volunteers and businesses put all their efforts together to make the Estevan Motor Speedway happen.
"The racetrack was huge because it came from nothing … It was all by donations from the community ... It was a whole good group of people that pulled it off," recalled Melodye.
Souris Valley Theatre and Creighton Lodge are some other bigger involvements. She is also a big supporter of the Community Hamper Association, as well as the United Way Estevan and the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation – three massive dollar campaigns, which every year help thousands of people.
"It doesn't matter if it's the Hospital Foundation or the hamper association or when I go help with Rotary's Lobster Fest, it's just the community giving back all the time and you just want to be part of it."
The COVID-19 pandemic made her involvement with the hamper association even dearer for Melodye.
"I'd stop the world to work for that … I would stop the world to make sure every kid gets a gift and food."
The balance between work, family and many volunteer jobs wasn't necessarily easy to maintain, but Melodye said she had to make it work, as every project she was involved with enriched her life, but also was important for the community.
"Each one just warms my heart,” she said.
While Melodye's life has recently changed after her husband passed away, her active involvement has never stopped. With a help of a few people, they started a widows' group to support each other and cheer each other up.
"It's just making them comfortable, knowing that they're not suffering alone. It's so different when all of a sudden you're on your own."
She's never counted how many projects, campaigns and organizations she's volunteered for as it's always been just a natural part of life and she always worked with what came up, thus showing her love to her hometown in the most genuine way.
