With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt, Mary Jean McLean of Moose Jaw. Sask. on Sunday June 4th, 2023.
After a long struggle with her health, she was freed from all of her pain.
She was predeceased by her parents, Jacob, and Katharina Derksen, four brothers, three sisters, Don Mclean (father of her five children), son in law Jack Powell and Brian Ward (Bev’s partner).
She is survived by her five children; Bev (Brian .d), Daryl (Shirley), Carrie (Jack d.), Donna (Logan) and Lyndon (Brook), 10 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and her sister Betty Baczuk.
Mom was born in Swift Current, SK on May 14, 1936. We heard many stories of her school years and family travels for work in the beet fields of Alberta. She left school early to start working. She met our father in Lethbridge and married there in 1953. Moving to Regina in 1955, we were raised in various communities in Saskatchewan.
Mom grew up in a musical family, with all of them playing an instrument or singing. Her and her sisters once sang in a group on the radio.
Mom was also a very crafty person and learned to draw at a young age. She drew pictures of her kids, country music stars and animals.
She had drawn a picture of Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner from an album she had and on her 80th birthday she received tickets to see Dolly in Moose Jaw. She gave that portrait to Dolly at the show.
Our mother had a very big heart and loved her family very much. She had so many very good friends over the years, and she will be missed by all of them. But she will be missed by her family the most.
Rest In Peace Mom. We hope you’re singing along with your favorite country stars who have gone before you.
The family would like to thank the doctors and nursing staff at Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital and the staff at Capilano Court Personal Care Home for the care and support they gave our mother. We would like to send a special thanks out to Dr. Volker Rininsland, our mother’s family physician for 35 plus years.
In keeping with Mary’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Memorial donations may be made in Mary’s name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation 100-119 14 Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1Z6.
In living memory of Mary, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Ltd. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Chrystine Dacey- Funeral Director