Mary McGowan

Mary (Kirychuk) McGowan passed away on June 30th, 2018 in Biggar Hospital at the age of 75, after a seven-month battle with cancer. Mary was born December 2, 1942 at the Red Cross Outpost Hospital in Paddockwood, Saskatchewan. She married Sargent Ernest McGowan of Paddockwood in 1962. Both teachers, they worked together at Albertville, Meath Park, Wild Rose, La Ronge and Gronlid before Sarge began farming in 1971. Mary continued to teach at Christopher Lake and Paddockwood, and filled her hours as teacher, parent, and farm wife. For fun they could be found visiting, playing cards, dancing, fishing, canoeing or going for an evening drive. In 1986, the family moved to Saskatoon and Mary joined Radius Tutoring, working with adults. Sarge and Mary returned to the farm at Paddockwood in 1995 and began organic farming, including building a greenhouse. Mary’s excellent baking, perogies and cabbage rolls, along with fresh produce, kept them popular at the Christopher Lake Farmers’ Market. In 2005, Mary moved to Biggar, Saskatchewan, teaching at Golden View Hutterite Colony and Biggar Central School. Retiring in 2008, Mary enjoyed reading, dancing, Arts Council and musical events and volunteering, and making a large circle of friends. She traveled all over North America, twice to Europe, and kept busy summer and winter at old time dances, from pattern dancing and square dancing to polka fests. Following her lung cancer diagnosis in December 2017, Mary received critical and loving care at St. Paul’s, Royal University Hospital (neurosurgery and oncology units) and the Biggar Hospital for palliative care.

Mary leaves to mourn: her son Kerry (Melanie Hilt) of Provost, Alberta and their children Kendra and Pierce (Chloe Gessner); son James (Jodie Haugen) of Weyburn, Saskatchewan and their children Anne Marie, Sargent and Rachel; daughter Merle (Garth Massie) of Biggar, Saskatchewan and their children Bronwyn and Alric; sister Olga and brothers Peter and Helmer, as well as loving in-laws, nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents Emil and Pauline Kirychuk, husband Sargent, son David, as well as siblings Nick, Bill, and Donald.

To honour Mary’s connection to two homes, there will be two services.. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday July 7th at 2 o’clock at the Paddockwood Elks’ Hall, with a private family internment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Biggar Hospital Foundation or to the Biggar Library. Arrangements entrusted to Grondin Funeral Services- Biggar . “Our family serving your family.”