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The family of Ione Margaret Poisson (nee McGrath) are sad to announce her passing on Tuesday February 2, 2021 at the age of 90 years.
Ione, the first of three children, was born to Jim and Rose (Moser) McGrath on July 14, 1930. Francis soon followed in December of 1931 and Isabelle made the family complete in 1938. Jim and Rose ranched 15 miles south of Hardy, SK where Mom made many fond and lasting memories.
Mom recanted many stories of riding her horse Dolly to school and how her Dad always told her to trust her horse to find the way home, especially during adverse weather. One time, Dolly stumbled catching Mom underneath breaking her leg. With Francis' help, Mom was able to get back on Dolly and slowly head for home where she waited for Dr. MacDonald's arrival to set her fractured bone.
There were lots of family living nearby including Great Grandma Moser who was famous for her Dutch coffee and strudel. The love of "a good cuppa" and pastry lingered throughout Mom's adult life. Some of Mom's best friends growing up were her Aunts and Uncles of similar age which she was sad to leave when her parents moved the family in 1948 to ranch north of Dollard, SK. The Hardy ranch was mostly leased land; when Grandpa Jim had opportunity to purchase deeded land he didn't hesitate to make the move.
Having completed high school in Shaunavon, Mom moved to Calgary in 1951 where she took a business course at Henderson Business College. Mom enjoyed her time in Calgary; she had many close girlfriends and gained experience as a stenographer working for the city of Calgary's welfare department. Mom was a go-getter; career oriented and eager to advance. Unfortunately during this time women were not considered for promotion despite their skills and capabilities. With no opportunity for advancement, Mom left Calgary in 1957 to help out at home when her Dad fell ill. During this time the one room Creston school located on the Bench north of Dollard, south of the ranch was in need of a substitute teacher. Mom, back to her roots, rode horse back to work at Creston school everyday. It was during this time that Mom met Paul Poisson, a farmer from Dollard.
Paul and Ione were married on Thursday May 21, 1959. The weekend following the wedding they planted their first garden which Dad said was the best ever. Together they ran a mixed grain and cattle farm in Dollard, SK. Donald was born the spring of 1962 after which Michael quickly followed in spring of 1963. The "girls" came along 4 years later first with Rosalyn (1967) and then Isabelle 13 months later. It was a busy house. Mom always had a large garden which she processed every year along with many jars of BC fruit. If anyone happened to pop in for a visit there was always either some chocolate cake, pie or cookies for sharing and of course coffee. Mom also baked bread, buns and her infamous cinnamon rolls weekly. Springtime always meant the arrival of chicks which went into the freezer in the fall to be roasted for Sunday dinner after church. An adept seamstress, Mom sewed clothes for the family for many years. As the kids grew and became more independent, Mom had more time to devote to her personal interests. Mom taught herself to knit and was able to craft many beautiful sweaters. Shy and deeply introverted, her greatest hobby was reading; especially British detective novels. Her love of reading created opportunities for Mom as librarian both for the Shaunavon Regional library and for the Shaunavon High School. Paul and Ione continued to farm and raise cattle until retirement in 1986 when they moved to Shaunavon. Mom continued to work in the library system until Dad's illness in 1993. After Dad's death in 1994, Mom threw her energy into being a Grandma; loving every minute spent with her grandkids.
In 2005 Mom moved to Swift Current where she continued to enjoy time spent with her youngest set of grandchildren; reading and local excursions with friends.
Mom will lovingly be remembered for her pragmatism, unselfishness, hard work and uncomplaining dedication to her family. Her strong faith and devotion to God helped her brave many difficult situations with acceptance and grace and without complaint.
Mom will forever be missed by her family. She leaves to mourn her sons Donald (Dawn) Poisson, their children Logan (Amanda) Pinkham, Clark and Elynne; Michael (Marla) Poisson, their children Romy, Réal (Alex), Raene, Eve and Nicholas as well as her daughters Rosalyn (Les) Pilsner and Isabelle (Rod) Piché, their children Paul and Anik as well as 3 great grandchildren; her brother Francis McGrath and sister Isabelle Schmaltz as well as many nieces and nephews.
We would like to thank all of the medical staff that looked after Mom both at the Cypress Regional Hospital and at Clover House with such great care and dignity. Their compassion was felt not only by Ione but by all of the family.
We will miss you Mom, you are forever in our memories and in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mom's memory to the Dr. Noble Irwin Regional Healthcare Foundation Inc. Warren's Funeral Home were entrusted with the arrangements. For further information call 306-773-8831 or 1-800-267-6606 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy on the family tribute wall.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ione Poisson, please visit our floral store.
Dr. Noble Irwin Health Care Foundation
2051 Saskatchewan Drive, Swift Current SK S9H 0X6
Tel: 1-306-778-3314