Mary E. (Wheeler) Ditson

1916 ~ 2023 (age 106)

Mary Ditson (nee Wheeler) of Kindersley, Saskatchewan passed away two weeks before her 107th birthday after an exceptional life of good health, excellent mind and an incredible memory.

Mary was born in Saskatoon to Wilfred and Malvina Wheeler, the third child of six children.  She moved to Stony Vista district and then on to Kindersley where she spent the rest of her childhood.  A proud moment in her life was that she was able to finish Grade 12.  

After her schooling she enjoyed working together with her father in his Grocery/Bakery store on Main Street Kindersley until she married Lorne Smith in 1941.  Mary farmed alongside her husband, Lorne, at a farm near Eatonia and then retired in Kindersley. Lorne passed in 1983.  Mary continued to manage the farm until she was 80 years old.  She was active in her church and worked on three community history books providing historical knowledge.  Mary enjoyed ceramics, bowling and was an avid knitter.  She also enjoyed travelling to England, Scotland, Australia, United States and across Canada.

Mary married Cecil Ditson in 1997 at the age of 81 and together they enjoyed gardening and delighted in taking many short trips together. In 2007 she was widowed once again with Cecil’s passing.

Mary leaves to mourn her loving children, Barbara Hillacre, Terry and Ralph (Shirley), daughter-in-law Ruth Shepherd, her eight grandchildren, Janice (Will), Lori (Dana), Zoe (Sean), Bonnie (Sebastian), Terami (K.C), Clancy (Ashleigh), Dennis (Melissa), Devin (Fatima) and 12 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

She also leaves to mourn Cecil’s children, Ken, Don (Janet), Dave (Iris), Sharon, Barry (Ruth) and 12 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.

Mary was predeceased by her first husband Lorne Smith, son David (2021), grandson Rick Hillacre and great grandson Byron, her parents Wilfred and Malvina Wheeler, sisters, Irene, Lillian, Muriel, Marjorie and brother Mervyn and her second husband Cecil Ditson.

Mary’s family would like to thank the Kindersley Manor for their compassionate care over the last four years.

There will be a Funeral Service held for Mary on Monday, April 3, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. from the Kindersley Alliance Church, 74 West Road, Kindersley, SK with Pastor Peter Ralph officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Institute for the Blind (CNIB), whose services Mary greatly appreciated.