Helen May Wiley, long time resident at York Lake and beloved wife of the late David Francis 'Fran' Wiley passed away on February 10, 2015 at 90 years of age. May was born on her family farm near Saltcoats, SK on May 31, 1924. She was the daughter of Alexander Brown and Isabella Cavers Grieve. May lived her early life on the farm, attending the one room Castleton School followed by high school in Saltcoats. She attended the Yorkton Hospital School of Nursing starting in 1942 and graduating in 1946. Nursing, giving care primarily on obstetrics and as a supervisor filled her working life until her retirement in 1989 - a period spanning over 45 years. Most of a generation of babies in Yorkton and area literally passed through her hands as they were born. On May 12, 1948, May married Fran Wiley in the Saltcoats United Church and began a productive and joyous family life that included raising her own four children. In the mid 1980's May and Fran completed an addition to their cottage at York Lake and moved there for their retirement years. Following Fran's death in 1989, May filled her days raising grandchildren, enjoying her pet dogs, immersing herself in nature, doing crafts, baking and socializing with friends including the late Eddy Edison who passed away in 2000. For several decades May has been a fixture at York Lake putting in many miles walking the dog and watching as the area grew and developed. May was a "survivor" - she had an inner strength that brought her through many of life's adversities. Winning a battle with cancer in the 1970's and notwithstanding declining health over the past year or so, May considered her life blessed and herself fortunate to remain fairly independent at home until the day before her death. In addition to her husband, Fran, May was predeceased by her parents, her siblings; Jessie Pickering, Margaret Sharp, Isabel 'Belle' Martinuk and Walter 'Wattie' Brown, as well as Fran's siblings and their spouses. She is survived by her children; Cheryl Wiley of Yorkton, SK, David Wiley (Cathy) of Ottawa, ON, Laura Wiley (Finlay Morrison) of Yorkton, SK and Amanda Reimer (Don) of Regina, SK as well as nine grandchildren, their families which include ten great-grandchildren and two step-grandchildren and their families. Funeral Services were held on Thursday, February 19, 2015 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home with Kathy Novak serving as the Funeral Celebrant. The prelude to the service was a tribute in pictures. Special music was shared by grandson, Chris Wiley who sang a Gordon Lightfoot song, "Pussy Willows Cat Tails" accompanied by Carla Laycock. Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by May's grandson, Taylor Morrison and family friend, Walter Farquharson. Another special music selection was a video of grandson, Matthew Wiley playing piano and singing "Everything's Alright". Organist, Carla Laycock, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Make Me a Channel of Your Peace" and "For the Fruit of all Creation". Piper, Ferne Katzberg led the congregation out of the chapel. Following a reception in the Gunn Reception Room, the Interment Service took place in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Alexa Dorksen, Rachel Wintonyk, Taylor Morrison, Christopher Wiley, Ted Pickering and Dean Wiley serving as casket bearers. The Honourary Pall bearers were Skye Morrison, Levi Wintonyk, Graham Reimer, Matthew Wiley, Patrick Reimer and Kelly Pihach. 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.
