It is with great sadness that the family of Phyllis Myrtle McKay (Bright) announces her passing on June 15, 2015 with her daughter Elizabeth by her side at St Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.  Phyllis was a couple months shy of turning 92 years of age.  Born on August 24, 1923 to William and Margaret Bright in Melfort, Sk.  Phyllis was the youngest of 5, Lorna, Florence, Helen and Harold.  She was raised in the Thaxsted District until she moved to Birch Hills as a young woman to work at the local hospital.  It is in Birch Hills that she met and married Howard Ray McKay, a local young truck driver.  They were married on October 25, 1947.  Together they raised 4 daughters Debby, Lou Anne, Elizabeth and Maggie.  Phyllis played a big part in helping run the trucking business and raising the family.  She took great pride in all of the girls’ accomplishments whether it was their school activities or sporting events.  She was always there and was the first one to offer a helping hand if needed.  Phyllis enjoyed all sports especially softball as her Dad had played semi-pro ball in the US.  She was a fan of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. During the summer, Phyllis could be found at Candle Lake with the kids, she loved to fish, boat and water ski.  Winter months Phyllis would be found at the local rink watching the girls figure skate and taking them on snowmobile rides.  Phyllis loved to garden both vegetable and flowers, she especially loved to give directions on planting the garden when the girls were around to help.  After Howard passed away in 1996, Phyllis moved to Prince Albert but the call of the farm drew her back and she moved to the farm by Crystal Springs where she resided until her passing.  On the farm until her health made her unable to fully participate, she enjoyed helping and raising the cattle along with all her dogs and cats.  In her later years she enjoyed sitting on the deck amongst the flower pots, bird watching and reading.  She loved a good book and continued to read up until the past year while listening to classical music on CBC Radio.  Phyllis was extremely proud of all her granddaughters, grandsons and finally her two great-granddaughters.  Phyllis will be sadly missed by her family and all who knew her.  Phyllis is survived by her daughters Debby (Billy) Gordon, granddaughters Tanya (Lance) Taylor, Taryn (Neil) Francoeur, great-granddaughters Kasydi and Berkley, Lou Anne (Jerry) Lautner, grandsons Allan and Bryce, Elizabeth McKay, Maggie (Eric) Walberg, grandsons Jordan (Robyn), Corbin (Ellen) and Damon.  Her Sister-in-law Vicky Bright and Shirley (Dennis) Birch and numerous nieces and nephews.  Her oldest sister Lorna passed away only a few hours after Phyllis on the same day.  Phyllis was predeceased by her husband Howard, her parents William and Margaret, in-laws Thomas and Perry, siblings – Lorna (George), Florence (Bob), Helen (Burt), Harold, niece Sandra, nephew Harold and sister/brother in-laws on Howard’s side.

Memorial Service to be held on Monday June 29^th at the Pentecostal Church in Birch Hills at 2pm.  Interment to follow at the Birch Hills Cemetery.  It is the request of the family that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Make A Wish Foundation – Saskatchewan, Children’s Wish Foundation – Saskatchewan or your local S.P.C.A.

• Date : 2015-06-15
• Location : Saskatoon, SK