Mrs. Melba Grant

Melba Muriel Grant (nee Brick) died peacefully at Stensrud Lodge on June 15, 2019 at the age of 84. Melba is survived by her children Dale (Joanne), Barbara (Jim), Robert (Gary), and daughter-in-law Kathy; grandchildren, Jason, Joel, Jessica (Nathan), Jeffrey (Alecia), David (Ashley), Adam (Kara), Erin (Shane), Lee, Elizabeth and four great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law Jeannette Brick. Melba is predeceased by her loving husband Don (2006), and their children Marvin (1977), Paul (2009), and Keith (2015); her parents Stan and Muriel Brick; sister Ruby McKeown; brother Doyle Brick; Don’s parents W. Ray and Florence Grant; and sister-in-law Thelma Grant. Melba was born in Cut Knife, SK on October 25, 1934 and was raised on the family farm. She attended Cut Knife High School and went on to get her teaching certificate at Normal School in Saskatoon in 1953. Mom taught school in Langham, SK for two years, a time she spoke of with great fondness. She married Donald Grant on April 30, 1955. Following their marriage, the couple moved to Toronto, ON. In 1958, Melba, Don, and baby Keith moved to Pullman, Washington where sons Paul and Marvin were born and Don completed his PhD. In 1963, the family moved back to Saskatoon where children Dale, Barbara, and Robert were born. Melba spent the next several decades building a life marked by tremendous commitment to her community and family. Unwavering in her belief that everyone deserves respect, recognition and a hand -up when needed, she put in thousands of hours as a volunteer and took a leadership role on countless committees, organizations and projects including: Georges Vanier School & Community Association, Saskatoon Mosquito Baseball, Birthright, Friendship Inn, PFLAG, Georges Vanier Singers, St. Francis Choir, honorary member of the Ursuline Sisters of Prelate, the Catholic Women’s League where she was diocesan president, and Saskatoon’s Parkinson’s support group where she helped organize Saskatoon’s first SuperWalk. She was instrumental in founding the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and the Seniors’ Group at St. Francis Xavier Parish, where she was a loyal member for over 50 years. Mom loved to be social. Hosting gatherings in her home was a beloved part of her life. Melba was an extraordinarily inclusive host. Whether it was her own family, her friends, her community, or relative strangers, Mom was always sure to make everyone feel welcome and at home. At any hour of the day or night she would welcome guests who may stay for an hour, a month or a couple of years. To Mom, family was everything. Her compassion and sense of duty were unparalleled. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. Melba spent the final few years of her life at Stensrud Lodge in Saskatoon. Our family would like to acknowledge the caregivers and thank them for the exceptional compassion and attention they provided to Mom. A viewing & informal visit with family will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at Acadia McKague’s Funeral Centre, Saskatoon, between 7:00 & 8:30 p.m. The funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, June 21, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Saskatoon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson Canada or to Stensrud Lodge.