Mary Francis Jones

We are sad to announce the passing of Mary Francis Jones on Sunday, May 10. She was born Mary Skalazub October 24, 1932, in Radisson, Saskatchewan. She is survived by daughters Darcy and Shannon and son Kirk (Joanna). Proud Grandma to Lara (Sean), Patrick (Nicole), Andrew (Jaycee), Sasha, Seth (Vanessa) and Ali and eight great-grandchildren.

Mary grew up on Dairy farm and trained to be teacher. She taught in Biggar, Lucky Lake and Kerrobert. She eventually married Robert Jones and settled in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan. She oversaw the transition of the Jones family farm to a corporation, where she gained a considerable reputation as an accountant, often correcting the work of professional accountants and lawyers. In Lucky Lake she ran a kindergarten out of her basement for ten years and served on the local school board. When she moved to Saskatoon, she worked as tutor before eventually opening her own tutoring company, Broadway Tutoring, which she eventually sold before retiring.

Denied the chance to participate by the absence of girl’s sports in her era, she faithfully attended four generations of sporting events beginning with her husband’s hockey games all the way through the great-grandchildren’s soccer, hockey, and basketball games. Only when she reached her 90’s did she stop attending every game. She attended over 20 years of Huskies basketball games covering her son’s time as a player and a coach and the playing careers of two grandsons.

Mary was known for the feasts she hosted, and no family event near or in Saskatoon seemed complete without a Sunday dinner at Aunt or Gramma Mary’s house. She shamelessly spoiled her grandchildren, creating occasions for celebration. She bought Christmas presents early, wrapped them and placed them under the tree, in her house, then at the grand-kids’ house, and usually showed up with more claiming she was unsure if she had gotten them anything.

Her unfailing attention and kindness masked a toughness that was legendary. She overcame prejudice against Ukrainians by being the top student in her graduating class and outworking and being more prepared than others. She was an early advocate for women’s rights, even leaving a teaching job and moving to new town when told she had overstepped and did not know her place. She stood up for victims of sexual assault in a time when even other women blamed the victim. She had a heart valve replacement at age 85 and defied expectations she would not survive on four instances. She was formidable.

Her kindness and memory and acuity were with her to the end. In her final days she reminded her kids of long-ago school friends upcoming birthdays and which appointment to cancel. She was the matriarch, the maven, the most beloved person to dozens of family and friends. She cannot be replaced, but by her example and the memory of her sustain her family at this sad time.

A Celebration of Life Will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 24 at the Venice House (906 Central Avenue) Saskatoon.