Maria Thiesson

Maria Thiesson July 2, 1928 January 26, 2012 Marie's spirit slipped from her cancer ravaged body in St. Paul's Palliative Care Unit on Thursday, January 26. Left to mourn her passing is Stuart, her loving husband of 62 years; her four sons Brian, (Judy); Randal, (Shelley Woloshyn); Scot, (Leeanne Boehm); Michael (Judy); her brother Richard Wall (Valerie); sister Louise Tweed; sister-inlaw Shirley Walton; sixteen grandchildren, three great grandchildren, fifteen nieces and nephews, and a broad community of friends. Marie was born in Swift Current on July 2, 1928. After completing high school at McMahon, SK, she attended Moose Jaw Normal School in 1946-47; taught for two years and then married Stuart Thiesson on July 3, 1949. Marie was predeceased by her parents, Abraham and Sarah Wall, brothers Stanley and John; daughter Brenda, and twin sons and a daughter at birth. A stay at home mom during the first twenty years of her marriage, she returned to teaching at the Saskatchewan School for the Deaf, then further pursued her education at the U of S graduating with a Bachelor of Education with distinction on May 16, 1975. Her interest and specialized training in hearing impaired children led her to the Saskatoon Public School Integrated Program at Brunskill School. She was the first itinerant teacher for hearing impaired children in the public school system and became a consultant with the Saskatoon Public School Board for a number of years. After leaving the School Board she worked with the provincial SPARC program, travelling throughout the province consulting with parents and teachers of young hearing impaired children. Marie was a founding member of the Saskatchewan Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf, which extended her an Honorary Life Membership in May 1992. In April 2001, Marie, together with Hope Cancer Help Centre co-founders Lilah Brehon and Olga Stefaniuk, were accorded Women of Distinction honours by the YWCA in the category of health, well being, and spirituality. She, at different times, served on the Boards of The Celiac Association, The Arthritis Society, and Camp Tamarack. Travels in the 70's took her to China, Japan, and Europe. Upon retirement Marie spent 11 winters in Mesa, Arizona where she studied and developed a passion for painting in watercolour. She continued to travel , taking several cruises and visiting Cuba, Great Britain, and France. The family expresses its sincere thanks for services rendered to Marie by The Saskatoon Health Region home care personnel and the St. Paul's Palliative Care Unit. A celebration of Marie's life is planned for Friday February 3rd at the Saskatoon Travelodge from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of other tributes, donations may be made to the Hope Cancer Help Center, 300 506 25th St. E. S7K 4A7 or The Saskatoon Community Clinic Foundation, 455, 2nd Ave. N. S7K 2C2. Condolences may be sent to mail@saskatoonfuneralhome.com Arrangements have been entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home, 244-5577.