PALLISTER: Marie Ellen. We, the family, are sad to announce that Mom has taken her final step through life and has gone to be with Dad. She passed away on Friday, November 22, 2019 with her daughters by her side. Marie Ellen McShannock was born on November 28, 1930 in Fortier in the R. M. of Portage la Prairie to John and Mary McShannock. She took her early schooling at Ingleside School and the family moved to Portage la Prairie in 1945 where she attended high school. Marie taught elementary school near Austin, Manitoba for one year before she took a secretarial course and then worked for the City of Portage la Prairie. In 1952 Marie married Harley George Pallister, and in 1956 they moved to Carberry, Manitoba where they became partners in the International Harvester dealership. Harley and Marie and their two girls moved to Dauphin in 1969 where Harley taught high school for three years after which they moved to Brandon in 1973. In 1984/85 Marie spent a year in the Seychelle Islands where Harley was employed through CIDA. In 1988 they were again privileged to have a similar educational contract in the West Indies. Marie joined the Order of the Eastern Star in Sharon Chapter, Carberry, Manitoba in 1957. She held many offices including Worthy Matron in 1964, 1987 and 1988, and Secretary for a total of sixteen years. She was appointed a Grand Representative to the State of Wyoming in 1978 and then to the State of Maine in 2006 and she enjoyed several trips to both of those states. In 1980 she served as Grand Chaplin and in 1995/1996 she attained the high office of Worthy Grand Matron in the Grand Chapter of Manitoba. Marie was honoured in the 2001-2003 Triennium when she was appointed a member of the Unfinished Business Committee of General Grand Chapter. She just loved being a member of the Order of the Eastern Star travelling and visiting so many different provinces and states and making so many friends. Marie also enjoyed being a life-long member of the United Church, travelling, doing crafts, making ceramics, and playing cards, but most of all she loved time with her family. Marie was predeceased by her father, John McShannock in 1954, her mother, Mary McShannock in 1971, and her husband, Harley Pallister in November 2018. She is also predeceased by Harley’s parents, Harry and Jessie Pallister, and all of her and Harley’s siblings and their spouses. Marie is survived by her daughter, Shannon Irene (Gregory) Leachman, daughter Heather Marie Pallister, and by her precious grandson, Graeme Scott Leachman. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Marie’s wishes were for cremation and a private family graveside service at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 1379 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB R3P 2T5 or the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba, Unit 4B-457 – 9th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 1K2.

When my life has reached its end and I take my final breath,
I want to know I’ve left behind some “good” before my death.
I hope that in my final hour, in all honesty I can say
That somewhere in my lifetime, I have brightened someone’s day
.