We Remember
GYLES, Mary E.
September 6, 1930 — October 10, 2023
Mary Gyles passed away peacefully with her family at her side on October 10, 2023, in Kelowna, BC, at the age of 93.
Mary Elizabeth Gyles (née McRuvie) was born in Hafford, Saskatchewan on September 6, 1930. She then moved to Saskatoon, SK as a young girl and attended Bedford Road Collegiate, where she met many lifelong friends. She married Ted Gyles, and they moved to Brandon, MB, where they started their family. The next stop was Regina, SK, where they raised their 4 children and spent the majority of their lives.
Mary was very active in the All Saints Anglican Church in Regina, for 35 years. She then moved to St. Pauls Church, where she assisted with the Columbarium duties. Mary volunteered with many organizations such as UNICEF, where she worked for 15 years; the Church Mouse for 10 years; baking and supplying different foods while working in the church kitchens and working at Wascana Rehabilitation centre with activity groups. She also received a certificate for donating blood. Mary and Ted participated in a number of student exchange programs through the Eastview Rotary Club, offering their home to teenagers from many different parts of the world for a year at a time. All while she was also looking after her own mother and grandchildren. Her best memories were caring for her grandchildren Michael and Cameron Clark. Mary was a gourmet cook and always surprised us with wonderful meals. They had many dinner parties with their old friends, who all loved eating wild game, which she loved to cook.
Mary and Ted had 4 children, Lizanne (Bob Clark), Laura Gyles, Ellen Gyles-Scott (Glenn Scott), and Mark Gyles (Heather). She had 3 grandchildren, Michael and Cameron Clark (Lizanne and Bob Clark) and Madison Levesconte (Mark Gyles), and 1 great-grandchild, Kovian Thompson (Cameron Clark).
Mary moved to Kelowna in 2016, where she lived with her daughter (Lizanne Clark and husband Bob Clark) for 2 years before moving into the Okanagan Chateau, where she spent her remaining years.
We would like to thank the community health care team with interior health for their support in helping mom daily and the staff at Okanagan Chateau. Without them, it would have been impossible for her additional years with us.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Ted; her younger brother, David McRuvie; as well as her mother, Madge Rae; and her husbands, William McRuvie and Vic Rae.
Mary had a long life with loving children and grandchildren at her side. We will miss her.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
My heart aches for your entire family as you navigate through this very difficult time. Mary was my birthday twin, and I can’t think of any that went by without us connecting on that day in some way to wish each other well and catch up. I have so, so many wonderful memories of time spent with your Mom. Growing up on the same street, Mom and I at your house, or her at ours so often. Mary’s fantastic recipes and meals. Those shared family Christmas dinners! And the bridge games with our parents and their friends that went long into the night, and the sounds of their laughter. I will cherish those and all of my other memories of your Mom always. I wish Mary peace, joy and laughter – knowing that she is clinking glasses with all of her family and dear friends in Heaven.
Love the picture. Dave and his sister are together Im sure sharing great memories from throughout their lifetime. She will be missed.
Lizanne, Bob and family,
We would like to extend our condolences to you on the passing of your Mom.
She was a very nice lady. I ran into her in Regina a few years back and was so surprised that she remembered my connection to you.
Take care
Richard and Merrilynn
To Lizanne, Laura, Ellen and Mark and in-laws and grandchildren: My deepest sympathies to you all on the passing of your wonderful Mom. I’ve thought of her many times over the years.
We knew Mary for many years at All Saints and then at St Paul’s. In later years, we picked her up and drove her to church.. That is a lovely picture of her; she was always very stylish. She was also irreverant with a wry sense of humour and we were sure to have a laugh or two on the way to church and back.
Our condolences to the family.
Lionel and Joanne Bonneville
I met Mary when we arrived in Regina and attended All Saint’s Church. Mary was a member of ACW and was always willing to help. when we later moved to St. Paul’s Cathedral we met again and she again made me feel welcome.
She had many friends and I am sure she will be missed by many people , especially her family.
I wish to offer my sympathy to you all and hope that your many happy memories will ease the pain of your loss.
Sincerely Anne Jones
Mary hope you are with everyone you love ♥️🌹🌾you were a wonderful person and always caring and kind.. We ending up with having The Gyles families. On both sides of our Home growing up. Along with Egor . Last time I saw you was at Bev’s in Regina. So special ♥️you two were peanut butter and jelly. although you were great cooks along with my mom Jackie. 😇who I hope you meet again. Mark was our 6th child as he used to come over and loved our cookie jar. We all loved him to and All of you . Our sincere condolences to everyone ♥️🙏🌾💧 This year certainly has been challenging .in so many ways. Rest In Peace with love Mary.. 🌸
I’m so sad to hear about Aunt Mary’s passing. My heart goes out to my cousins and their families who are now having to let go of their very special mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Seeing her photo makes me feel proud of this fabulous role model who lived such a long and full life, raising four children and looking after her mother as well as homestays, while remaining dedicated to the Anglican Church, community service, and many other things. I will always remember those amazing gourmet meals during family get togethers and how kind and cheerful she always was to me, when actually she was run off her feet busy preparing food and looking after everybody. Yet she never appeared to be. May you rest in peace, Aunt Mary.🙏 We will all miss you.❤️
Mary was my Mother Rita’s dear dear friend going back to their Bedford Road days in Saskatoon. She was a thoughtful, kind person and my Mom cherished their friendship. She always sent the most thoughtful cards for all occasions. Mary you will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved you.
My deepest condolences to all of Mary’s family. She & Ted along with joy Smith planned the 1991 Gyles Family Reunion in Brandon which left the Gyles family many lasting memories