Obituary of Phyllis Hedlin

Phyllis (Fredeen) Hedlin March 13, 1926 – February 2, 2017 Phyllis was born and raised on the family farm 13 miles southwest of Macrorie, SK. She is predeceased by her parents Olive and Alvin, brother Hartley and sister Beth, a son Eric (1959 – 1965), a granddaughter Andrea (1979), and two sons in law Ernie Kardash and Richard Allsop. Phyllis is survived by her husband, Charles and their six children: daughters Carol Allsop - Calgary and Diane (Ron) Friesen - Winnipeg, sons David (Cheryl) - Saskatoon, Matthew (Cheryl)- Nepal, Michael (Catherine)- San Diego, and Joel (Gretta)- Saskatoon. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, a brother Howard and a sister Muriel. Phyllis began her formal education at Big Valley School and continued it in Macrorie. She took her high school education at City Park Collegiate in Saskatoon. She continued her studies at the University of Saskatchewan, receiving degrees in Household Science (1949) and Education (1950). In the fall of 1950 she accepted a teaching position in Lloydminster,SK. In August 1951 she married Charles Hedlin; they settled in Guelph, Ontario where five children were born. In the spring of 1960 they returned to Saskatoon where two new members, Michael and Joel, were added to the family. As the family matured,she volunteered at RUH, cuddling little babies, and at the Sunset Home Kitchen. Later, she worked as a technician for Saskatchewan Research Council. Phyllis loved all kinds of nature films. She delighted in her flower beds and vegetable garden. The registered Collie dogs, raised by her mother, inspired a life-long love of animals. Country music, fiddling, singing with her family, and a trip to Wilf Carter’s ranch, were important features in her early years. Few people knew that she had periodic bouts of depression. Her garden and chemical intervention in later life proved to be a God-send for her. While in university, summer jobs included employment at the Swift Current Experimental Station working on saw fly resistant rescue wheat plots, Jasper Park Lodge where she engaged in touring and mountain climbing on off-days, and gardening on the U of S campus. Travel was another of her loves; it took the form of camping with the family and later in overseas trips with Charles to a variety of countries. Above all else, she loved her husband and family. Her passing will be mourned. She will be remembered for her kindness and sense of humour, sometimes a little risque, which resulted in bursts of laughter and a radiant smile. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband and families.