Mary Grace Kist (nee Hyshka)

Mary Grace Kist (nee Hyshka), aged 99, passed away peacefully on March 16, 2021 after a brief illness at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina, SK. Mary was born in Cut Knife, SK where her parents farmed and she and her siblings attended the nearby Wembley School. She matriculated from Normal School in Saskatoon, SK and taught in one-room country schools in Biggar, Cairnsview, and Happyland, SK. While teaching, she met Sebastian; they married in 1947 and made their home on a farm seven miles north of Unity, SK. In 1950 they welcomed Jane, followed by Wayne in 1953, and Marvin in 1955. Mary and Sebastian developed the farm considerably, raised livestock, and accumulated more land which yielded plentiful crops. In addition to excelling as full-time farmers, Sebastian hauled machinery, livestock, and grain for many years, while Mary balanced the demands of child-rearing with an exacting standard of homemaking that included cultivating prolific vegetable gardens integral to her culinary renown, as well as a return to teaching from 1964 to 1968. She had a range of interests including knitting, curling, baseball, travel, and crossword puzzles; was fond of animals, particularly cats; and cherished time spent with her family and friends. Mary and Sebastian shared an integrity and passion for hard work best exemplified by the farm they expanded and nurtured for over forty years. Following Sebastian’s passing, Mary moved from their farm to a new house she had built in Unity in 1993, and finally relocated to Regina in 2004. Mary was predeceased by Sebastian in 1992 and son Wayne in 1998. She passed away on the 23rd anniversary of Wayne’s funeral. Mary was also predeceased by her parents Danylo and Maria (nee Rak) Hyshka; brothers Michael (Irene), Walter (Jessie), and Bill; sister Olive (Bill) Milne; parents-in-law Michael and Marion (nee Bretzer) Kist; and the Kist siblings-in-law. She is survived by her daughter Jane (Bob) Scott of Regina; son Marvin of Regina; granddaughters Angela Scott of Regina and Heather Scott of London, UK; and many Hyshka and Kist nieces and nephews. Cremains will be interred at a later date in Unity. Mary, our mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, neighbour, and friend is much missed, and our memory of her shall be dearly treasured. Please consider your friendship in life your memoriam in death.