McPHAIL: On June 30, age 92, Dr. Mary McPhail (nee Kujawa) finally lost her battle for life. Born in Poland, she came with her family, who were escaping Bolshevik tyranny, to the St. Walburg district in 1928. After marrying, she resided in North Battleford from 1951 until her death. She was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Hugh ("Howdy"), her daughter Tamara, and is survived by her daughter Alexandra ("Chiki"), son Hugh, brothers Nick and Serge, and 5 grandchildren. Dr. Mary was defined by competence. In addition to competence in her busy medical practice, which involved anesthesiology in the mornings and her family practice in the afternoons (which she continued well into her 80's), she ran several family business interests. She also gardened, knit, sewed, crocheted, embroidered, cooked, canned, pickled, baked bread, and made the best Saskatoon pie. She was always busy, but never too busy to do what she thought was important. For example, she thought she could contribute to the educational system so she served on the North Battleford Public School board for 24 years. Later on she served on the North Battleford City Council for three terms. Her voluntary service to her profession included serving on the board of the Saskatchewan Medical Association and on committees of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Her contribution to her profession was recognized when she was named Family Physician of the Year in 1999 by the College of Family Physicians. For 6 years in the 1980's, she found the time to proudly serve as a Citizenship Court judge. She also found the time for extensive studies and for travel to conferences all over the world to become an expert on religious cults. She eventually published a book on that subject to help other families. Dr. Mary was also defined by determination. She survived the Great Depression including a 4- mile hike to school. She started younger than the norm at university and then medical school. As a medical student, she survived a near fatal bout with tuberculosis, writing her final exams during an 18-month stint in the Manitoba sanatorium. (It was only the brilliance of one of her professors that saved her life when he defied the consensus advice and removed one of her kidneys in a time before antibiotics were available. Mary was thereafter never hesitant to question 'the pack's' thinking on any subject.) This hardship prepared her somewhat for the three hip replacements and prolonged shingles attack that ravaged her in her later years. As a result of the TB, she was told as a new bride that she couldn't survive childbirth, but she insisted and had three children. Thereafter, nothing was more important than her family and no one could be more determined, tenacious and strong in helping her children and grandchildren. One recent example of her feistiness: in her 80's she refused to pay a traffic ticket because she thought it was unfair so she fought the charge and successfully defended herself in court. In 1951, Mary McPhail designed a most modern bungalow to be built in North Battleford. She never felt limited by where she lived - the world was her oyster. It helped that her husband had an aviation business; that gave them unique freedom. She and Howdy made trips in a Cessna 172 to many destinations, including Miami, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and even Mexico. Starting with cheap Wardair flights in the 1960s, they made trips to Europe a regular part of their year. For several decades they kept a flat in London England and a villa in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to get away to in the winter and so they could experience the finer things in life in music, theatre, art, and fashion. Mary collected fine art, classical music LPs, literature, and the latest fashions, filling her beautiful home with treasures from around the world. There will be an exhibition of her hat collection, as there could be one of her art collection. Mary loved to entertain, cooking for days to serve guests dishes from around the world. She loved people and conversation and a good argument right till her body gave out. She lived a generous life, serving her family, friends, extended community, the arts and many charities. A musical tribute and celebration of her life will be held in Logie Hall in 3rd Avenue United Church, North Battleford on Friday, August 9 at 3 p.m. Forty-three years ago, Dr. McPhail helped with the fundraising for the festival committee to purchase a beautiful and rare Yamaha C7 semi-concert grand piano enjoyed by festival and recital participants performing at the 3rd Avenue United Church. The piano has weathered those many years well but repairs are currently in order. As these costly repairs are beyond normal budgeting for the festival committee, in lieu of flowers, the McPhail family invites you to "buy a key" for $100 or donate any amount towards the restoration of this special instrument. Cheques can be made payable to the BKMF and mailed to P.O. Box 1301, North Battleford, S9A 3L8. Alternately, checks can be made to North Battleford 3rd Avenue United Church for the repair and maintenance of the Yamaha grand piano in the sanctuary, originally donated by Ethel Weare.
