Obituary for
Mary J. Lyseng
March 14, 1936 (Edmonton, Alberta) – December 24, 2021 (Edmonton, Alberta)
Mary Josephine Magdelene Lyseng (Chiswell) sang to her soul and passed away peacefully on December 24, 2021 at the age of 85.
Mary is loved and survived by her children, Eric (Cheryl) Lyseng, David (Carina) Lyseng, Ann (Anne) Lyseng, Tyler (Tawnya) Wasilenko, and Travis Wasilenko; grandchildren, Cailyn, Kelsey, Jessica, Mackenzie, Madison, Isabella, Brayden, Stephen, Natalya, and Cassidy; brother, Harry (Olga) Chiswell, nephew, Dennis (Lyndsay) Chiswell; and their son, Lucas; and her niece, Rhonda’s son Dyllan; brother-in-law, Robert (Bob) Wasilenko; and nieces, Cathy Anne Pachnowski and Linda Pachnowski (Gerry); and many close friends.
She was predeceased by her long-time dance partner and husband, Roy Wasilenko; her parents, Lester and Annie Chiswell; her sisters, Dorothy Manson and Margaret Jones; her brother, Lawrence Chiswell; her son, Tadd Wasilenko; and her niece, Rhonda Chiswell.
Mary believed that you are what you see and that you can create solutions where there appear to be none. Mary embodied this approach in her life and her work, and even in this very obituary, guiding its edits herself and making sure it reflected her true story and her message before inoperable cancer took its course. This obituary honours her as a person, educator, producer, mother and grandmother.
Mary’s journey began on the farm in Lacombe and Perryvale, Alberta. She rode her pony, Jiggs to Bear Hollow to search for missing cows; looked after Eric the goat, and her family’s rabbits, lambs, pigs, and chickens; and rode the old Model-T school bus. In Lacombe, Mary would escape to her favourite place on the hill, a grassy ridge a short distance from their farm that was filled with purple crocuses and yellow buffalo beans, where she could dance, dream, and tell her stories to the wind.
In Perryvale, she had her grounding rock, the largest, most magnificent rock she had ever seen, where she could sit, dream and ponder, feeling anchored and safe. Mary loved the rolling hills, winding Tawatinaw River, and tall pine trees.
At 16, Mary started her professional life apprenticing at the Athabasca Echo newspaper. She learned typesetting, printing, reporting and writing, beginning a lifelong pursuit of writing and media. Also at 16, Mary lived with the nuns, working for them at a seniors care home in Athabasca to afford room and board to complete high school in town. Mary excelled at school and track meets, but was terribly shy unless she was performing. Mary said, “I could talk to horses, but people were another matter.”
Mary received support from the province to take the University of Alberta Temporary License Teaching Program in 1953 (Illuminate, Class Notes Spring 2020), an intense full year program to help address a teacher shortage. Mary has always credited an arts course in voice and speech during university for letting the shy person in her out, empowering a successful and creative multi-career life. She began teaching elementary school by 18, balancing her new performance in a professional role with being a teenager herself. Mary saved enough money working to continue her education at the University of Alberta to take her Bachelor of Education.
While taking university courses, she also trained further as an apprentice in commercial broadcasting at CFRN (now CTV), working in advertising and promotional writing. Mary received her father’s gift of the family’s coveted yearly grain cheque to help her finish her last year and complete her degree. Mary taught English Language Arts and many other subjects for grades one to twelve and college, working in northern Alberta communities (including Mirror Landing and Boyle), Ross Sheppard High School in Edmonton, Namao air force base in Edmonton (now Canadian Forces Base Edmonton), Alberta College, and high school in Davenport, Iowa. She was passionate about teaching, language, and making a difference in the lives of her students.
In Davenport, Mary became known for her great success working with learners that had come through challenging and traumatic experiences, including incarceration. Her lessons conjugating her students’ frequent use of the F-word and using crime scene analysis to teach critical thinking made meaning of learning for her students and created a strong bond; they knew they meant something and had a future. She would never give up on a student.
In addition to teaching, Mary also continued as a broadcaster and commercial writer. She worked at KSTT, Davenport, Iowa, and later became Supervisor of Alberta School Broadcasts and Media Production with Alberta Curriculum Branch for the Government of Alberta. Mary forged a part of the foundations for educational media in Alberta and Canada. She produced hundreds of television, radio, and film productions in co-operation with CKUA, CBC, and NFB; represented Alberta on committees for the Council of Ministers of Education; directed over 30 national and international award-winning productions (e.g., Bill Before the House – Jury’s Prize for the Japan Prize, ‘n Stuff – Gold prize for The Chicago International Film Festival); and won an Alberta Achievement Award and an Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) Gold Pin (one of the first women to receive this award).
In the 1970’s, Mary’s work with the Alberta Native Communications Society in the film Crowfoot and her efforts to challenge gender stereotypes in the film ‘n Stuff were reflective of her determination to work collaboratively with people and value stories that needed to be told.
Alongside her media and curriculum work, Mary also completed a Master of Education at the University of Alberta, with her thesis focusing on the history of Alberta School Broadcasts – History of Educational Radio in Alberta (Alberta Archives). With support from Garth Hendren, Mary also compiled and co-edited the book Every One is Something People, an anthology of Alberta children’s writing and art in celebration of the International Year of the Child, and produced the well-recognized digital encyclopaedic compilation of international artwork Sightlines. Mary would comment that alongside ‘n Stuff and Every One is Something People, Sightlines was one of her greatest accomplishments, not only because it contained an international compilation of art for Alberta students, but also because of her success in “convincing those in bureaucracy that there are actually nudes in art, and it’s okay!!!”
While working with Alberta Education, Mary also spent many long hours at the Nut Hut, a store she co-owned with her second husband, Roy. She carried her love of art into the arrangements and baskets she would create, painting with chocolate, nuts, and candy. In retirement, Mary worked tirelessly as a real estate agent, substitute teacher, tutor and mentor, helping many, including newcomers as a part of their journey in Canada. Her caring and dedication as a teacher always continued.
Throughout her journey, Mary raised three children as a single parent and cared for her second husband Roy’s three children. She had great love for and pride in her children, instilling in them value for education, hard work, and vegetables. She also loved her many grandchildren and wished happiness, creativity, and fulfillment for them.
Mary found great joy in curling at every bonspiel she could find in Western Canada, creating oil paintings of winding cobalt blue rivers, camping with family, enjoying horseracing and dinner theatre, and connecting with dear friends in retirement, including the Ladies who Lunch. She also valued her long love story with Roy, finding each other through single parents slo-pitch and charting life on their terms.
In her approach to life and learning, Mary often talked of you are what you see, understanding that what we see shapes our thoughts and beliefs. She also centered herself on believing in the positive, the importance of learning and education, and the power of creative solutions. Mary believed in living and doing, and that everyone is indeed something people. She accomplished and contributed much to media and education in Alberta, Canada, and beyond, and enriched the lives of her family, friends, and students. Mary made a difference, was loved, and will be remembered.
A small funeral will be held with close family and friends on December 31 at Park Memorial in Edmonton. To view a livestream of the service select “Webcasting” from Mary’s Book of Memories on this page.
Per the Restriction Exemption Program, you must provide proof of vaccinations (QR code with valid ID for those 18 years and older), or proof of a negative rapid COVID test taken within 72 hours of entry, or an original medical exemption letter.
Cremation and internment will follow with family at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Lacombe.
The family wishes to thank all those who assisted with Mary’s care, including her long time MD Dr. Rick Neuls; the University of Alberta Hospital doctors, nurses, and staff in 3G and 3E; Alberta Health Services and CBI caregivers and staff via home care; and the Norwood Palliative Care Unit doctors, nurses, social worker, and staff. This care allowed Mary to live life her way up until her very last day, passing peacefully in her sleep with support and love around her.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers can be made on behalf of Mary to the Young Alberta Book Society or Canadian Cancer Society.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary J
Lyseng 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Edmonton, Province: Alberta