Obituary of Mary Ann Assailly

The family of Mary Ann Assailly are saddened to announce her passing on March 28,2020 at Oliver Lodge in Saskatoon Sk.

Mary Ann was born in the nursing home at Walton On Thames, England to John and Olive Herity and spent her formative years living above her Grandads pub, the Old Plough, in Stoke d’ Abernon Surrey. She and her mother sailed to Canada on the TSS Letitia in 1946 with a boatload of British War Brides and their children arriving at Pier 21, boarding a train and traveling to Edmonton. She spent her childhood in south side Edmonton and Biggar SK where she graduated from High school and then trained as a Psychiatric Nurse in Weyburn. 

Mary Ann married Roger in 1966 and they enjoyed two girls, Merrilee, Melonie and in 1994 she was found by birth daughter Gina. Blessed with nine grandchildren, two step grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. 

She was fortunate and able to dedicate much of her time to volunteering. The Anglican Church always played a role in her life singing in junior choirs to serving on vestry, diocesan council, twice delegate to General Synod, ACW member, the diocesan partnership with Cuba, traveling twice to Cuba to be the Canadian guest at a celebration Fiesta and then to the Consecration of a Bishop.
A National member of the Partners in World Mission Unit, member of the Diocesan Outreach group, serving on the Aboriginal Outreach group, Listener at Resident School private hearings, co-chair of the Diocesan Primates World Relief and development and diocesan refugee sponsorship.
Mary Ann was the Diocesan appointee to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission working group, Reconciliation Provincial Anglican representative. A founding member of Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik (Women Walking Together) Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Guiding was a lifetime love from being a Brownie to serving as Leader with Brownie, Guide and Pathfinder units, provincial as Program Commissioner and elected to the National levels to Life membership with Trefoil Guild and being awarded the Medal of Merit and 60 year long service membership pin. Her other Biggar community involvements included elections to local and division school boards with the highlights being the construction of Biggar Central School 2000 surrounded by the Sandra Schmirler Olympic Gold Park.

She was actively involved in the creation of the Biggar Food for Thought Food Bank and membership in the Biggar Kayette Club with its myriad of fundraisers and service projects such as Secret Santa. The monthly Biggar Genealogical group meetings were a great opportunity to join with others to dig deep for their roots and for her to make contact with English, Irish, Metis and American cousins in her family tree.

Mary Ann was both honored and humbled to receive many certificates and awards of recognition for her volunteer hours well spent. 
- Certificate of Merit from the Government of Canada contribution to community 1988
- Commemorative Medal 1992 contributions to Compatriots, Community and Canada 125th Anniversary Confederation of Canada 
-Certificate of Appreciation from the Diocese of Saskatoon for partnership with the Diocese of Cuba 1997
-Plaque for Dedicated Service as a Biggar Local Board Trustee 1980-1985
-School bell and framed school print in Recognition of Dedicated Service on the Biggar School Division 1985 to 2003.
-Plaque Wild Goose Recreation Association as Volunteer in 2005
-Certificate of Appreciation from Anglican Diocese of Saskatoon
For Ministry to the Truth and Reconciliation Saskatchewan Event held in Saskatoon 2013
-Certificate Appreciation from the Primates World Relief and Development 
-Certificate of Appreciation for valuable contribution to the Oct 4th Sisters in Spirit Vigil movement.
-Joanne Miller Peace Award 2013 presented to Iskwewuk–Ewichitochik/ Women Walking Together.

Mary Ann lived with CBC radio and Coronation Street, loved British Comedy and an avid reader of British Mystery. Submerging herself in Family Tree research and traveling to England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and the United States to be with or meet new extended family and search out churches and graveyards.

Mary Ann’s first cancer diagnosis was in 1992. In 1995 she was re-diagnosed and with abundant prayer and the treatment and care of oncologists and nurses in Saskatoon, the Edmonton Cross Cancer Centre Stem Cell Transplant research team, Biggar Health staff and the support from the Saskatchewan Cancer Society she was able to continue to reach out. Unfortunately, in August 2018 Mary Ann was diagnosed again and Saskatoon Home Care and the Palliative Care Nurses played a big part in her remaining journey.

Mary Ann was truly blessed to enjoy family and friends 
She was pre-deceased by her parents John (Jack) and Olive (Dixie) Herity and in-laws 
Albert and Marjory Assailly and sister-in law Arda Wiebe.
Survived by her husband of 54 years Roger
Daughters Gina (Iver) Martinson, Merrilee (Greg) Lynes and Melonie Redlick.
Granchildren Stacey (Zane) Lambert, Ashley (Chris) Craig, Dylan (Haley) Redlick, Spencer ( Kristine) Martinson, Hayden Redlick, Ashley Dent, Jordan (Ryan) Karppinen, Owen (Jocelyn) Redlick, Lexi Dent, Brandi (Jesse) Como and Ryan (Jessica) Lynes.
Precious Great grandchildren: Drew Redlick, Beau Como, Austin Lynes, Bennett Redlick, Wells Como, Leo Redlick, Everhett Lambert, Miller Redlick and Brooks Lynes.
Brother Rick (Sandra) Herity, sister Susan Herity, brothers and sister in-laws, Bill Wiebe, Jim (Darlene) Assailly, Shirley (Wally) Nicklin and Eugene (Karen) Assailly. 
Numerous nephews and nieces. Aunt, uncles and cousins in England and the United States. 
As well a special refugee family Qasan, Hiba, Haidar, Yousif and Razan.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Canadian Cancer Society or Emmanuel Anglican Church & Refinery Arts & Spirit Centre.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Always with her was her poster from Isaiah 40:31 with gifted Eagle Feather attached.
 “Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not become weary.”