Obituary of Mary McKenzie

Mary was born in March, 1936 in Pine Bluff, Sask. to Zacheus Head and Charlotte Settee (Dorion). She was raised by her grandparents, Thomas and Suzette Head. She received her education in Pine Bluff. She grew up in the days when people lived off the land. She often shared stories of how they gathered food and the fun times they used to have at community events such as dances. She always said it was the best of times. On August 1, 1956, she married Louie McKenzie and they were blessed with 9 children; she lost 2 at infancy. Mary would often participate in cultural teachings in the community and she was the best Bannock maker. She loved playing bingo with her son-in-law Walter and she enjoyed watching local football, especially when her grandchildren played. She wasn’t very fluent in English, but when she used her broken English, you knew exactly what she meant! Mom was always a hard worker, helping dad during the trapline days and she would tell us they would work from morning till night. She faced many challenges in her life, but she was a woman with perseverance and she could overcome anything that came her way. She was not a woman of education, but she taught her children to be hard workers and to always take care of their families. Mom’s true love was her children, grandchildren and her Chapans. They were what gave her the most joy. She never had one special grandchild as they were all special to her. She meant a lot to the many people she met during her lifetime. She adopted children as her own and each had a special place in her heart. Mary is survived by her children, Floyd (Bern) McKenzie, Richard McKenzie, Angus (Marg) McKenzie, Hazel (Walter) Sewap, Dougal (Tammy) McKenzie, and Leonard (Kendra) McKenzie; her grandchildren, Rory (Margaret), Donald, Gerry (Trish), Taylor, Kristina, Chasity, Kristain (Chris), Kelly, Shantel (Gerald), Natalie (Logan), Richard, Lorraine, Ryan, Matthew, Shellie, Kimberly, Alyssa, Darcy, Krystal, Robert, Leah, Louie, Morgan, Zac, Percy, Lindsay, Peter and Josh; her step-children, Barry, Dwayne and James Carriere; her sisters, Hazel (Eddie) Head and Sylvia Settee; her in-laws, Marie Louise McKenzie, Leonard (Marie) McKenzie, and Donald McKay Sr.; and her 28 chapans. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Louis McKenzie; her parents, Zac and Charlotte (Settee) Head; her sons, Harvey McKenzie and Kelly McKenzie; her daughter, Gladys McKenzie; her brothers, Adam and Alex Settee, her sister, Nancy Mink; her step-son, Richie Carriere; her granddaughter, Shelly McKenzie; and her in-laws, William & Florence McKenzie, Percy (Liz) McKenzie, Hillard McKenzie, and Virginia McKay. Mom left a legacy of love to her children, grandchildren and chapans And all that knew her and loved her. She fought for use one way or another, she gave us her best And now the time has come for her to rest. We will keep her in our hearts forever. Until we meet her again.