Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Leach

LEACH, Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth Leach died peacefully in Regina on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at the age of 88.  She will be greatly missed by her family and dear friends.

Mary Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband Fred; infant son Tommy; her parents, John and Mary Courtney; and niece Linda Leach. Lovingly remembered by 3 daughters: Jane (Bill) Swalling of Denver, CO, Sandra (Rob) Rendall of Regina, and Sharon (Yvan) Leach of Saskatoon and 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren: Graham (Leah) and Ian Swalling, Jay and Julie (Jeremie) Rendall (children Leon and Amelia) and Olivier and Julien Lebel. Also survived by her dear brother John (Helen) Courtney, niece Joanne (Murray) Green and nephew John (Lesley) Courtney and their families; and brother-in-law Don Leach and family.

Born in Swift Current on September 16, 1931, Mary Elizabeth moved to Regina as a young child and attended Davin School and Central Collegiate, graduating in 1950.  After living in Winnipeg and later Vancouver, she worked for Trans-Canada Air Line in Regina.  She met the love of her life, Fred, and they married in 1953. The family cottage was soon built on Lake Katepwa and together they created a welcoming gathering place for family and friends.  For over 64 years, Mary Liz never missed a summer at their cottage and needed coaxing to return to the “city” before the snow would fly!  She was grateful to have long standing friendships in the Qu’Appelle Valley and Regina communities. 

In her earlier years, she enjoyed involvement with Wesley Church Women’s Circle, the Regina Elizabeth IODE Chapter, and the traveling student arts program as an Art Docent at the McKenzie Art Gallery. Membership with St Paul’s Cathedral and the historic All Saint’s Anglican Church at Katepwa was a source of inspiration.  She was a keen bird watcher, a proud Saskatchewan art collector and dearly loved each of her 5 dogs.  She enjoyed entertaining, was an accomplished cook who especially loved preparing eagerly awaited family dinners.  Mary Liz was an avid reader, a keen observer of politics and sports - particularly baseball and football.  She often beat her grandsons to share the sports news of the day. 

She will be remembered for her unconditional love of family and admired for her independent and generous nature. Mary Liz’s enthusiastic and fun-loving approach to life inspired her family and will live on forever in our hearts.

The family is thankful to Right Reverend Mike Sinclair for his friendship, support and service to our mother.  A private Celebration of Life and Interment will be held in the summer of 2020 at All Saints Anglican Church, Katepwa Lake. The family thanks the staff at Regina General Hospital, Unit 6A and Pasqua Hospital, Palliative Care Unit for their compassionate care and kindness to her and our family this past 3 weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Elizabeth’s memory may be made to Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, Building and Faith Fund, 1861 McIntyre St, Regina, SK S4P 2R2, or WCVM Development Office, University of Saskatchewan, 3113-52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK,  S7N 5B4.