Mary Ann Upshall left her life on earth in the early hours of December 8, 2012. Mary Ann was born on October 20, 1921 on the family farm at Barvas, SK, the daughter of Malcolm and Christina (nee Morrison) McLeay. She grew up on the family farm, was baptised in the Barvas Presbyterian Church and attended the Barvas School, completing Grade Eight. Mary Ann played an essential part in the operation of the family farm, working diligently, shoulder to shoulder with her father. On July 9, 1948, she married Herb Upshall and then became an essential part of what would become a life-long career. Mary Ann's commitment to the farm was evident in the livestock she and Herb raised and the crops they produced. Her children often wondered how Mary Ann managed to do the chores, look after countless nieces, nephews and grandchildren, do her housework and have enough food prepared for all of her family, plus the many who visited and were asked to stay and eat. Mary Ann actively farmed until 2005 when she retired to her new home close to her Barvas roots. Mary Ann was an active member of the Eden community club and the Dunleath Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Dunleath Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, was an Elder and the Clerk of Session for the Dunleath Church. Mary Ann was predeceased by her husband, Herb; her brothers, Donald and Colin McLeay; her sister-in-law, Eva Vince and Mona MacDonald; her brothers-in-law, Willie MacDonald, Bob Ballantyne, Bob Vince and Allan Pfeifer; her daughter-in-law, Leila Upshall and great-granddaughter, Jorja Bomberak. Mary Ann leaves to celebrate her life, her son, Earl (Verda) of Saltcoats, SK and their children, Kathy (Chad) Morash & their children, Cole and Porter of Moose Jaw, SK, Bryan (Bonnie) Upshall & their children, Bennett and Braydie of Yorkton, SK; her son, Eric of Manitou Beach, SK and his children, Eve Upshall (David Vickers), McLeay (Jamie) Upshall & their daughter, Kori and Jordan Upshall, all of Saskatoon, SK; her daughter, Joan (Bob) of Yorkton, SK and her daughter, Jodie (Darrell) Denis & their daughter, Ryleigh of Lloydminster, AB as well as Bob's children, Jodi (Guy) & their children, Austin, Lauren and Callie of Eston, SK, Grant (Laurie Ann) Bjornerud & their children, MacKenzie and Brady of Yorkton, SK and Garnet Bjornerud of Yorkton, SK; her daughter, Wanda (Jerome) Bomberak of Bangor, SK and their children, Logan (Sarah) & their children, Mahlyn and Sawyer of Beinfait, SK and Kaylan of Bangor, SK; her three sisters, Flora Ballantyne of Saskatoon, SK, Hazel (Harry) Nixon of Comox, BC and Georgina Pfeifer of Courtney, BC; a sister-in-law, Olive McLeay of Calgary, AB as well as numerous nieces, nephews and many close and loyal friends. A Memorial Service was held on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Devon Pattemore officiating. Soloist, Peter MacMahon shared three selections, "How Great Thou Art", "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" and "Angels Among Us" accompanied by Carla Laycock. Carla also led the congregation in the closing hymn, "In the Bulb There is a Flower. Words of remembrance were shared by Mary Ann's granddaughter, Kathy Morash. The urn bearers were Mary Ann's daughter and son-in-law, Wanda and Jerome Bomberak. A Private Family Cremation Committal will take place in the Saltcoats Town Cemetery at a later date. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
