Obituary of Mary Wilkinson
Mary Wilkinson
On December 4th, 2024, Mary Wilkinson, formerly of Lily Plain, SK, passed away with her family by her side in Shellbrook, SK. Mary was loved deeply and will be remembered always by her family.
Mary was born August 25, 1932, to John and Tena Neudorf at Horse Lake, SK. Her family moved to a Lily Plain homestead in 1933. Mary grew up with 3 sisters and 4 brothers. She talked of the hardships and good times through the 30s and 40s which they, and most everyone who lived those years experienced. The brightest lights in her childhood were music, school and family. She attended Lily Plain school, walking in summer and horse and sleigh in winter. She always spoke fondly of her teachers who planted the seeds of learning which become a lifelong passion of hers. She spent her life learning and ultimately teaching her knowledge and wisdom to everyone around her. Mary carried her gift of music, which she felt her father gave her and brothers perfected, with her all her life. She shared her love of music with all her children, providing them with the instruments, teaching, singing. She entertained Bob and their children with her music whenever asked. Even the community had the opportunity to enjoy her singing and guitar playing along with her sibling’s band at the hall dances.
In I951, Mary and Robert Wilkinson were married, and they started their own home and family. In the next years she was blessed with 8 children, 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren. She spent her life being a devoted wife to Bob and their life together on their farm, a loving mother to her children and grandchildren. Mary was a loyal friend, neighbor, community and church member.
Mary was such an amazing lady we could write a book about her life. She was a salt of the earth farm woman, a lifelong learner and teacher, an artist, gardener, seamstress, knitter, a writer, a mom nurse, healing broken arms, wounds and hearts along the way. Mary lived most of her 92 years in Lily Plain surrounded by many of her family and friends. When her health didn’t allow her to live on the farm she moved into Points West in Prince Albert, and her last couple of years were lived at Mak Lodge where she was cared for lovingly by their staff.
She commented often in her later years how some people’s roots are planted so deep, its difficult to be transplanted. Through all of her experiences she knew joy, love, pain, grief, friendship and all life’s gifts. Everything she lived, she did with kindness, tolerance and sometimes quick wit, always with love and wisdom.
Mary is predeceased by her husband, Bob; her 3 children, Brian, Brenda and Brent; and her grandchildren, Cheryl, Deanna, Tyler and Tyson; and 2 great-grandchildren. She is survived by and will be remembered always by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and their families: Brian’s children, Shane (Terra), and Joey (Evelyn) and Cheryl’s husband (Gary); Carolyn, and children, Clinton (Alison) and Kirsty; Kathy (Guy) and children, Jamie (Mike), and Landon (Sheryl); Tim (Marion) and children, Chad (Lindsay) Eric (Lisa), Dayne and Stephanie; Brent’s children, Robin, Brandy, Amy (Jamie) and James; Lyle (Claudette) and children, Travis (Teneil), and Chelsey (Dave); Valerie (Gerry) and children, Terron, and Aspen (Travis); her daughter-in-law, Jan; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at St. Alban's Anglican Cathedral, 1410 Bishop McLean Crescent, Prince Albert, SK. Interment will follow in Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com In lieu of other tributes, donations in Mary's name can be made to Shellbrook and Districts Health Services Foundation, Box 33, Shellbrook SK S0J 2E0. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.
