Mae Neill-Upshall, 90, peacefully passed away, with her family by her side, on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at the Rainy River Health Centre in Rainy River, Ont.
Mae was born Sept. 1, 1925 in Kingsford Township, Ont. to Ernest and Ethel (Cann) Smith.
Mae was married to John (Jack Matheson) Upshall in 1942 and Albert Neill in 1990.
She had a son, Garry Upshall, in 1949 and a daughter, Janet (Silander), in 1953.
Mae was raised on the family homestead in Kingsford, then later began working in a pulp camp in Nestor Falls, Ont. She then moved to 314 Pulp Camp, where she resided and raised her family and stayed until John retired.
She moved back to the Kingsford area until such time that she moved to Ear Falls, Ont., returning to Kingsford for the summers and then going back to Ear Falls in the winter.
Mae later married Al Neill and then moved to Wabigoon, Ont. After his passing, she decided to stay in Ear Falls at Sunset Leisure Place permanently until May, 2015, when she moved in with her daughter.
She moved to the Rainy River Health Centre in October, 2015, where she lived out the rest of her life.
Mae was a very quiet and proud woman, not wanting to burden anyone. She never complained about anything, including her pain, and she took things in stride figuring that God must have a reason.
She was a true believer in God and his reason for doing things that we never quite understood.
She loved gardening, reading, flowers, and blueberry picking, which was her passion until two years ago.
Family suppers, outings, sleepovers, and lately visits would make her beam with pride, and she would smile in recognition at seeing family members. She made many new friends at the home, including the many nurses and patrons.
Mae is survived by her son, Garry Upshall (Betty); daughter, Janet Silander (Don); grandchildren, Nancy Silander (Gord), Gwen Halverson (Danny), Sheryl Weibe (Jeff), and James Upshall (Inoka); granddaughter-in-law, Bridie Ryan; great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Chase Halverson, Hades and Onyx Silander, Kamiika Silander Grasley, Michael and Emma Weibe, and Ruben and Ari Upshall; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased by her parents; brothers, James and Richard; husbands, John (Jack) and Albert; and grandson, Dwight Silander.
As per Mae’s wishes, a private family service will take place at a later date.
If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to Rainy River Health Centre (Extended Care) c/o Northridge Funeral, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com
MATILDA MAE NEILL-UPSHALL
