Ila Bernice “Bea” McGrath
December 30, 1921 – May 10, 2023
Ila Bernice McGrath - Bea, Busy Bea, Super Bea, Granny. Bea the daughter, sister, wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, friend: teacher, Flight Sergeant, homemaker, farmer, gardener, athlete, fisherman, cheerleader, author, actor, community organizer – an amazing woman of many talents. One in a million and we were the ones chosen to live life with her – how blessed we have been!
Mom was born in Saskatoon on December 30, 1921, the first daughter and fifth child of Nick and Annie Dietrick. She had 10 siblings: Norman, Lorne, Clifford, Lyman, Virgil (Kelly), Audrey (Moore), Betty and Lionel.Two sisters, Margaret and Helen died at birth. They lived on a farm in the Grasswood District near Saskatoon. When mom was 3 they moved to Newnham District, 4 miles west of LeRoy (Bogend at that time). Mom went to Newnham public school and at 14 moved to LeRoy for high school. After graduating from grade 12 in 1939 mom moved to Saskatoon to attend teacher’s college at Saskatoon Normal School. In 1940 she started her teaching career at Valleyfield school near Lanigan. She taught grades 1-8 in a single room. During this time mom met and fell in love with Gerald McGrath, a handsome farmer from the Sinnett area. By 1942 mom felt a calling to help in the war effort. On May 13, 1942 she joined the Royal Canadian Airforce, working her way up to Flight Sergeant. In 1944 while home for Christmas, mom and dad were secretly engaged and they married June 15, 1945. They lived on the McGrath farm near Sinnett until 1949 when they joined the Newnham Co-op Farm as founding members. In 1959 they moved to their farm on the outskirts of LeRoy, living there until 2009 when they moved into LeRoy. They would share a whopping 65 and ½ years of married life together, blessing that union with 11 children - with little idea of what they started! Dad passed away in 2011 and mom made the decision to move to Trinity Manor in Saskatoon in 2014. In 2020 when mom returned from Maui, she moved in with her daughter Darlene (Ali) to wait out the pandemic. Darlene has provided excellent care, companionship and most importantly lots of fun for mom in her last three years.
Mom lived her life very simply. She was a hard worker, honest, non-judgmental, and kind. She was a joy to be around with a quick wit and a beautiful smile. She was always grateful for all God had provided. She was an inspiration to all who knew her and even to those who knew of her – she always left a little sparkle wherever she went – making happiness wherever she would go.
She will be forever loved and missed by her family: JERRY (Darlene), Trina (Alex Roach), Jami (Shawn Dietrich), Jay (Brucie); TERRY (Janet), Shawn (Lorna), Dion (Barb), Stacey (Dan Oliynyk); DARLENE; ERVIN (Joyce), Christina (Gord Rahm), Ashley (Kendra); ARLEE (Shirley), Georgette (Mike Jukic), Ramsee (Erin), Reed; GOLDIE (Daniel Tremblay), Patric (Kristen), Jennifer; LESLIE (Ivy), Jan, Mallory (Craig Mamer), Jonah (Sarah), Mason; JUDY (Tim Archer), Alex (Tyson Schultz), Sarah (Leland MacLachlan); Kathryn (Cole Ward); NEILL, Dimitri; JACKIE (Sheldon Holfeld), Kyle (Marley), Mark (Ashley), Ryan (Lisa), Troy; BRENT; 38 great-grandchildren (2 more arriving soon); 1 sister-in-law, Annette Dietrick; numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Gerald, February 26, 2011; her grandson Derek McGrath, August 22, 1983; her parents Nicholas and Annie (née Eaton) Dietrick; her mother-in-law Nora McGrath (née McMahon); all her siblings; and several other extended family members.
The Funeral Mass was offered for Bea on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 2:30 p.m., at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, in LeRoy, Saskatchewan, celebrated by Fr. Francis Akomeah. Others taking part were Neill McGrath and Dimitri McGrath, cross bearers; Darlene (Ali) McGrath, urn bearer; Mason McGrath and Troy Holfeld, scripture readers; Jami Dietrich and Ramsee McGrath, intentions; Shawn McGrath and Christina McGrath, eulogists; Jennifer Tremblay and Kathryn Archer Ward, memorial table attendants; Annette Dietrick & Bea’s Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren, honorary pallbearers; Leona Wakelam, service assistant. The Filipino Choir provided music ministry and a private interment followed at Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Cemetery, in LeRoy. The memorial luncheon was held afterwards with time for fellowship in the LeRoy School Gymnasium. We wish to express our deep-felt gratitude for the over-whelming support and many acts of kindness shown to our family in honour of our dear Mom/Granny/Great-Granny. God Bless You all. Memorial donations may be directed to the Holy Rosary Cemetery Fund, (PO Box 237, LeRoy, SK, S0K 2P0), or the LeRoy Daycare (c/o Town of LeRoy, PO Box 40, LeRoy, SK, S0K 2P0, with Memo: LeRoy Daycare). The recorded service is available at: www.schuler-lefebvrefuneralchapel.com.
This Notice Is Courtesy Of
Schuler-Lefebvre Funeral Chapel - Humboldt, Saskatchewan
(306-682-4114)