Mary Louise Brillinger, late of Weyburn, passed away February 13, 2017 at the age of 100 years. Mary was predeceased by her parents Lucien and Esther (Kovach) Morange; her husband, Leonard; her son, John; her brothers, Joseph, Peter and Jack; and her sisters, Marguerite, Helene, Norma, Catherine, Isabelle and Simone. Mary is survived by her sister, Barbara Sim (Norman) in Saskatoon; her children, Carol Kelln (Wayne) in Swift Current, Brenda Croft in Weyburn, Robert Brillinger (Laura) in Prince Albert; her daughter-in-law, Hazel Brillinger in Cochrane, Alberta; her grandchildren, Joanna LaDouceur in Swift Current, Travis Kelln (Tarina) in Swift Current, James Croft (Chelsey) in Regina, Sarah Croft (Eric Robinson) in Thunder Bay, Derek Brillinger in Prince Albert and Lisa Brillinger in Prince Albert; her great-grandchildren, Quin LaDouceur, Mackenzie and Reilly Kelln, and Leighton Croft, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was born in Windthorst and attended Buffalo Plain School and St. Joseph’s Academy in Forget. She completed Normal School in 1939 and began her teaching career at Burns School near Gull Lake. Later, she taught in Alida. Her teaching career was interrupted when she served in the RCAF from 1942-1945 as a Leading Air Woman with Radar Filter in Halifax. Following WWII, she met Leonard Brillinger and they were married in Windthorst in November 1946. After their marriage, they moved to Richmond Hill, Ont. and remained there for 11 years. During this time, their four children were born. In 1957, the family moved back to Saskatchewan to take over the Brillinger family farm near Handsworth. Mary resumed teaching in 1957 and taught in classrooms in Flinton, Handsworth, Forget, Heward, and Stoughton until her retirement in 1974. Following her retirement, she and Leonard spent 22 years as “snowbirds” enjoying winters in Texas and California. After the death of Leonard in 1998, Mary moved from Stoughton to Weyburn. Mary was an avid learner throughout her life. She maintained an interest in the world around her and spent time researching topics related to health and wellness. She willingly adapted to technical advances (including the benefits of computers). She enjoyed reading, quilting, needlework, playing cards, gardening, crossword puzzles, and watching various sporting events. However, what interested her the most were the people she loved. Mary dedicated her life to her family. She will always be cherished as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, and teacher. Cremation has taken place. A private family burial will be held at Gap View Cemetery at a later date. Our family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the medical staff at Weyburn General Hospital and Tatagwa View Care Home where Mary was a resident since August 2014. Also, our family thanks the caring, dedicated nurses and staff for their support during Mary’s days in palliative care at Tatagwa. For family and friends so wishing, charitable donations in memory of Mary may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan, Unit 26, 1738 Quebec Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7K 1V9. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn, SK (848-0333 ~ 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com “Our Family Serving Your Family”
