Margaret Frances Ironquil (nee McCorrister)

June 2, 1937 – August 23, 2019

Our dear loving and beautiful Mom Fran, who was a sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, August 23, 2019 at 6:02 p.m. at the Balcarres Integrated Care Centre, Balcarres, Saskatchewan.

Fran leaves to mourn her children: Barry (Sandra J. Walker aka Fee) Ironquil, Sandra (Dean) Bellegarde, Lois (Simon) Ironquil and Richard aka Kooters (Noreen) Ironquil. Her grandchildren and their families: Garett Ryder, Steve (Desirae) Ironquil, Tyson (Kyrstin) Ironquil, Rich Ironquil, Justin Ironquil, Brandon (Shellayna) Ironquil, Curtis (Lindsey) Bellegarde, Kyla Bellegarde, Courtney (Colin) Arlt, Josef McKay, Danielle McKay; Denton (Natalie) Ironquil, Keegan (Ashlynn) John, Jason (Crystal) Poitras, Melissa Duley, and Joel Poitras. Her sisters and their families: Phyllis Thomas and Geraldine (aka Jade) Garneau, Brother Garry (Louise) McCorrister, sister in-laws Annette McCorrister, Carol McCorrister, Marion Ironquil and Doris Hyndford; and brother in-law Jack Hyndford as well as numerous, great and great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Fran is predeceased by her parents: Ernest aka Steve and Bertha (nee Sinclair) McCorrister; father and mother-in-law Joseph and Helen (nee Poitras) Ironquil; husband Joseph Richard Ironquil; daughter Sharon Poitras; son-in-law Eugene Poitras; brothers Edward (Boych) McCorrister, Allen James (Jimmy) McCorrister, Mortimer (Mort) McCorrister, Russell McCorrister and Harold (Hal) McCorrister; brother in-law Del Garneau; sister-in-laws Edith McCorrister & Agnes McCorrister; nephews Darrel, Mike & Kevin McCorrister & Johnny Mann; & grandson Dustin (aka Tiny) Ironquill.

Mom was born in the Fisher River Hospital, Manitoba on June 2, 1937. She was born a member of Peguis First Nation, Manitoba. In her early teen years, Mom left her home and attended the Birtle Indian Residential School in Manitoba. She went on to complete a secretarial course at the Manitoba Technical Institute (MTI) in Winnipeg. She returned home to Peguis where she worked at the Indian office.

Mom met our Dad Joe at MTI where they were both going to school. At the age of 21, Mom married Dad at the St. Matthews Anglican Church on Peguis on September 27, 1958 and together, they had five children. They moved to Winnipeg until 1975 and then moved to Saskatchewan so our Dad could farm.

In 1977, Mom became the Welfare Administrator for Peepeekisis. While she worked, Mom went back to school to take the social work program in Muenster, Saskatchewan. She received her Diploma of Social Work in the early 1980s. Mom worked as the welfare administrator for 25 years until she was let go due to being 65 years of age in 2002. She also served as a Band Councillor & sat on several boards for Peepeekisis & the United Church. She loved her job, her clients loved her, and she worked hard and put in endless hours to make sure her clients’ needs were taken care of.

Mom always loved travelling and throughout her life, she travelled to Australia, all over Canada and the United States and Pakistan twice until she could no longer travel. Mom was known as "Gran Fran".

Mom loved Bingo, slots, pool, poker and meeting up with her siblings and children to have a weekend of gaming and visiting. She was the best cook ever & just made Sunday’s the best. Mom loved puzzles, jumbles and was a voracious reader right up till she got sick in December 2018.

Mom was a mentor and friend to many. Mom was loved by many.

 Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the St. Andrew’s United Church, Fort Qu’Appelle SK. Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Conley Funeral Homes, Fort Qu’Appelle, Raymore & Wynyard SK 306-332-0555.