Mary Isabel (Purvis) WALKER

Mary Walker (née Purvis)

Mary was born in Kerrobert, SK on June 30, 1935 and lived her early life on the family farm near Broadacres, SK. She attended Normal School in Saskatoon acquiring her teaching certificate, and taught for one year at Prince and two years at Wartime, SK. In Wartime she met Glenn Walker, and they were married in 1957.  She worked alongside Glenn on their family farm near Greenan, SK where they raised their family and lived until 2015.  Every year she had a huge garden, flower beds, and an orchard which kept her busy during the growing season.  Glenn and Mary moved to Rosetown in 2015.  Soon after Glenn passed away in 2015, Mary moved to Sherbrooke Community Centre in Saskatoon where she passed away on April 26, 2019.

Mary was a faithful volunteer in the United Church, both in Wartime and later in Elrose, participating in Sunday School, choir, United Church Women (UCW), showers for brides, Secretary to the Presbytery, and anywhere help was needed.  She and her husband enjoyed the social life of the Greenan, Wartime and Elrose communities.  Mary attended many musical performances where Glenn was performing either by himself or with a musical group. They also traveled countless miles throughout the province to support their children and grandchildren by attending an incredible variety of sporting and other events. 

Mary’s primary hobby was reading, but she also enjoyed calligraphy, photography, carpentry, re-upholstery, bird watching and knitting.  Mary gathered genealogy information for both her family and Glenn’s family, accessing official information sources across Canada and internationally. 

Even after several health challenges, Mary participated to the fullest in the social activities at Sherbrooke Community Centre.  She also enjoyed the connections provided by Facebook. Thank you to all the staff at Sherbrooke for the love and care they provided to Mary during her residence.  

Mary is survived by her children Amy (Lyle) McDonald, Lyle (Shari) Walker, Maureen (Lois Grylls) Walker and Neil (Terri Lynn) Walker; grandchildren Leigh (Laura) McDonald, Raya (Clae) Hack, Sean (Amy Gibson) McDonald, Karen (Matt) Berglund, Trent Walker, Regan Walker, Courtney Walker, Paige (Travis Paproski) Walker, Logan Caleo, Xander Uhl, Lily Uhl, Ashley Peckenpaugh, Kayla Peckenpaugh and Elizabeth Peckenpaugh; great-grandchildren Luke McDonald, Hailey Hack, Rylie Hack, Lincoln Berglund, Emma Berglund and Tyson Peckenpaugh; sister Chris (John) Wiens; brother Dave (Ruth) Purvis; sister-in-law Hazel Walker; brother-in-law Stewart Coakwell; and sister-in-law Irene Rivard. She was predeceased by her husband Glenn Walker; parents Albert and Annie (née Park) Purvis; Glenn’s parent James and Annie née Ripley Walker; siblings John (Ruth) Purvis and Jim Purvis; Glenn’s siblings Hattie (Arnold) Cameron, Jimmy (Alice) Walker, Dave Walker, Beth (Grant) Shaw, Everett (Lucy) Walker, Dorothy Corrigal, Ina (Norm) MacKenzie, June Coakwell and Helen (Lawrence) Sprickerhoff.

The Memorial Service was held at the Elrose United Church on Friday, May 3, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. with Mr. Jim MacNaughton officiating. Donations in memory of Mary be made to Sherbrooke Foundation Inc., 401 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7H 2E7 or Parkinson Canada – Saskatchewan, 2103 Airport Dr #110B, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6W2.