Obituary of Pauline McLelland

MCLELLAND – It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Pauline Alma McLelland. Pauline passed away peacefully at home in Yorkton, SK on Friday March 15th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Pauline was born on June 14, 1930, in Margo, SK at the family farm to Edward and Elizabeth Redman. Pauline worked hard on the farm hauling water, digging up sinacrude roots for money to help the family, and attended Robertson School and achieved her diploma.  Pauline was predeceased by seven siblings, brothers Fred, Melvin, Alec, twin brother Paul, and sisters Hazel, Eileen and Evelyn. Pauline married William (Bill) McLelland in 1952 and they resided in Lake Valley, SK where Pauline supported Bill in the United Grain Growers, but most importantly was a loving and caring mother to her six children. Pauline always kept busy with working, volunteering and had a love for playing baseball. In the early 60’s, the family moved to Invermay, SK where they purchased the Invermay Red and White Store, where Pauline would work 10 to 12 hours every day.  Pauline supported the Kinsmen Kinettes and enjoyed curling. Pauline, along with the help from her family, every year would enter a huge float for the annual town parade. Pauline made hundreds of plastic flowers and was very creative to match the theme. Pauline won “best float” almost every year. Pauline would always perm, colour and cut her mom’s hair. Pauline loved playing whist with her mom and dad every Sundy in Margo and enjoyed a glass of wine from her mom’s green jug. In 1975, the family moved to Theodore, SK where they purchased the Theodore Motor Inn. Pauline worked tirelessly 7 days a week, managing the hotel, cleaning, and renting out 6 rooms and preparing 3 meals a day for the various travelers. Hunters would come from as far as Germany to hunt geese and Pauline would clean and pluck the birds. Pauline enjoyed very little down time, but when she did, Pauline loved going to Reno, Nevada with her family and sisters and brothers. Around 1983, Pauline and family moved to Saskatoon where Pauline worked for 14 years at Porteous Lodge and finally retired in 1995 as a dedicated Housekeeping Aid. While working at the lodge, Pauline would make various silk flower arrangements and would always have a kind word for the residents, and everyone knew of her beautiful smile and sparkle in her eye.  Pauline never missed one day of work in those 14 years of service. Pauline also was a huge support to the family, when they got involved in the hotel business in Asquith and Perdue, SK. Pauline would make Christmas Dinner for over 100 patrons at each hotel. She would roast 4 large turkeys, make homemade cabbage rolls and perogies, various salads, homemade buns, and various homemade dainties. To say the least, she was an amazing cook as well. After the passing of her husband Bill in 2003, Pauline and her youngest daughter Christine lived together. Pauline continued to make various silk flower arrangements for her family and her eyes would light up when she received flowers from her loved ones. They would love to play BINGO, go to the Casino, watch their shows, and enjoy a lot of laughs together. Pauline was Christine’s caregiver until 2019 when Christine passed. Pauline did not have an easy life, but she loved life and her family. Pauline suffered a stroke in January of 2019, and then moved to Yorkton to live with her daughter Val and son-in-law Barry. Pauline would love to sit outside and catch the warm sun rays. She enjoyed having a few smokes and a glass of wine. Pauline continued to love to play cards, especially WAR. In 2020, she celebrated her 90th birthday with a huge birthday party with her family and her grand kids. She looked forward to family and grandkids visiting, celebrating Christmas and birthdays, playing Kinsmen TV BINGO, watching the Toronto Blue Jays, CFL and curling. Pauline loved her family pets, Freeway, Tucker, Bella and Bailey. Pauline is predeceased by her husband William (Bill) McLelland, son Glenn. and daughter Christine.  Pauline’s memory will be cherished by sons, Gordon (Audrey), Rodger, and daughters, Vallerie (Barry) and Geraldine (Ed). Grandchildren – Tanya, (Greg), Cheyenne (Jordan), Shelby, Reagan (Dara), Anjelica (Kenton), Jeremy, Meagen (Andreas); Great-Grandchildren, Carissa (Austin), Maris, Easton and Reese, Addison and Callen, Alexander, Christopher and Dimitri. Great-Great Grandchild – Indya. We will all miss her beautiful smile, love, wisdom, laughter and support as she truly was amazing. Thanks to the SHA Home Care, Nursing staff at the Yorkton Hospital in 1st East Wing and the 2nd floor Ped’s and Baileys Funeral Home.  Thanks to all family and friends for the flowers, cards and your kind words of support. 

The Memorial Service was held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from the Chapel of Hillcrest Funeral Home, Saskatoon with Crystal Bailey officiating. Val Yaholnitsky, Geraldine McLelland, Gordon McLelland, Tanya Brons, and Anjelica Farrow delivered tributes. The interment followed in the Old Rugged Cross Garden, Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, Saskatoon with Tanya Brons and Jeremy McLelland serving as urn bearers. Memorial donations in memory of Pauline McLelland may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation as gifts of remembrance. Condolences may be left for the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.