Mary Ann Wilson and Albert John (Jack) Wilson. Mary Ann Wilson (Hepburn) was born April 29, 1922 on the family farm north-west of Yorkton. After graduating from high school Mary attended Normal School in Regina where she received her teaching diploma. She began her teaching career in Torquay and then moved to Beaver School near Springside and finally taught at Orkney School near Yorkton. Albert John "Jack" Wilson was born January 16, 1915 on the family farm west of Springside. He attended school at Beaver and Crossroads. After completing Grade 8, Jack began working on the family farm with his father. They had a mixed farming operation raising grain, cattle, swine and poultry. While teaching at Beaver School, Mary met Jack and they began courting. They were married July 11, 1946 in an intimate ceremony at the home of Mary's sister, Jessie Hancock, in Yorkton. After honeymooning at Clear Lake, MB the couple settled on the Wilson family farm to begin a wonderful marriage that lasted 69 years. They both lent their time and talents to community efforts. Mary served as secretary treasurer of the Creekside Rural Telephone Company. She was a long-time member of the Creekside Homemakers Club. Jack served as a board member for the Yorkton Co-op and Theodore United Church. They were both active members of the Theodore United Church where Mary also taught Sunday school classes for a time. Music helped add fullness to their lives. Mary played guitar in her early years and Jack played a number of instruments including guitar, violin, piano and organ - all learned by ear. They both enjoyed old time dancing including square dancing and later took up Scottish Country Dancing and took part in many Robbie Burns Day celebrations. One of the highlights of their travels was a trip to Scotland where they re-connected with many relatives. They also made two trips to the beautiful islands of Hawaii and took cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico, travelled to both coasts of Canada and ventured north to Alaska and south to Branson, Missouri. Mary enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting and liquid embroidery. She loved growing flowers both indoors and out and spent time feeding and watching various songbirds. During his lifetime, Jack produced many pieces of art, water coloured paintings that have been and will continue to be enjoyed by family and friends. While they had many interests, family was always at the centre of their lives. After spending many years on the farm, Mary and Jack moved to Yorkton in 2000 where they lived on their own until 2013 when failing health necessitated assisted living care. That marked the first time they were ever apart. Mary passed away peacefully on March 16, 2016 at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home. She was predeceased by her parents William and Jessie Hepburn, sisters Jessie (husband Stanley Hancock) and Margaret (husband Lloyd Sherwin) and brothers Bert (wife Margaret) and William (wife Doris). Jack passed away two weeks after Mary on March 30, 2016 also at the Yorkton and District Nursing Home. He was predeceased by his parents John and Mary Wilson and his sister Winnifred (husband Dan Foster). Mary and Jack are survived by their children, David (Bev), Bruce (Lois), Sandra (Gerald Konkel), Craig (Pam) and Sherry (John Gillies) along with 12 grandchildren; Leonard Foster (Mandie), Sharlene (Scott Fitzsimmons), Carla, Michelle (Scott Greff), Jody (Chris Warner), Chad Konkel (Allison), Gavin Konkel (Chantel), Amy Konkel, Andrew Wilson (Melissa), Derek Wilson, Graham Gillies and Grant Gillies (Megan) along with 14 great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service to Celebrate the Lives of Jack and Mary Wilson was held on Saturday, April 2, 2016 from St. Andrew's United Church in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Jen Dresser officiating. The organist, Shani Apland, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Make a Joyful Noise" (as the processional), "In The Garden" and "How Great Thou Art". The Piper, Ferne Katzberg, led the recessional. Jack and Mary were laid to rest in the Yorkton Memorial Gardens, Garden of St. Mark with their children, Sandra, Sherry, David, Bruce and Craig serving as their urn bearers. 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.
