It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Maria Estelle Wilvers (Pierrard) at the age of 89.
Maria passed away on December 5, 2024, on what would have been her husband Marcel’s 91st birthday. She was surrounded by her loving girls and their families.
Maria was born in Whitebeech, Saskatchewan on April 29, 1935, to parents Thomas Pierrard and Maria Petit, both of whom emigrated from Belgium. In 1941, Maria’s family moved south, back to their homestead near Antler, Saskatchewan. Maria attended school in Bellegarde, Saskatchewan, where she boarded and studied at the Sisters of the Cross Convent. She then taught school at two small country schools before getting married to Marcel Wilvers, also from the Bellegarde area, on October 27, 1956.
Maria and Marcel lived in several small towns while they raised their young family. They farmed, and then worked together operating motels and hotels in small Saskatchewan communities, before moving to Moose Jaw in 1981. Maria held a variety of positions in Moose Jaw, including housekeeping supervisor at the Harwood Hotel and fabric clerk at Woolco, before she and Marcel became residential property managers, which they did until they retired in 1998. Maria earned her retirement, as she was an incredibly hard- working woman her whole life, both in her careers and at home, and was grateful for everything she had.
Maria was a talented seamstress, knitter, and crocheter, and she enjoyed making clothes and sweaters for family. She took in sewing for other people, and also created sweaters and other items to sell. Maria also had several other hobbies, which she enjoyed greatly in retirement, including reading, jigsaw puzzles, walking in Crescent Park, and spending some time at the Casino. However, nothing was ever as important to Maria as her family. Her 6 girls, sons-in-law, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great- grandchildren were her world. She loved quietly, but fiercely, and was always eager to spend time with her family.
After Marcel passed in 2009, Maria continued to live across from the park in Victoria Towers, until she moved to Chez Nous, and eventually Extendicare, all in Moose Jaw. The care and love she received at Extendicare was incredible. The staff often remarked on what a special, kind, and sweet lady Maria was. We wish to extend an extremely heartfelt thank you to the Extendicare staff in the Wakamow Way area, and to all of the staff who cared so much for Maria.
Maria kept her remarkably kind, sweet, and loving presence until the very end, which is no wonder since she was also filled with an exceptionally strong determination. Maria was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, Marcel in 2009; two beloved daughters: Karen Wilvers-Courtney in 2018, and Patty Wilvers in 2023; her grandson Eric Erickson in 2010; and all ten of her brothers and sisters. She is survived and will be missed every day by her daughters and sons-in-law: Jocelyne and Leo Moe, Brenda and Darryl Grevna, Cindy Campbell, and Nicole and Bret Rowlinson; her grandchildren Doug Grevna, Travis Moe, Jared (Martha) Moe, Janelle (Derik) Boksteyn, Jenna (Mike) Daher, Chris Campbell, Kaitlyn (Austin) Grevna, Emma Rowlinson, and Morgan Rowlinson, as well as her two great-granddaughters Ava and Isla Daher. Maria’s name will live on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at the W.J. Jones and Son Funeral Home reception hall at 474 Hochelaga St. W. in Moose Jaw, on Thursday December 12th at 2:00 p.m. Della Ferguson will give words of tribute.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Maria are graciously accepted at the Friends of the Moose Jaw Public Library, 461 Langdon Crescent, Moose Jaw, S6H 0X6.
In living memory of Maria, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Ltd. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).
Chrystine Dacey- Funeral Director
