Wilson, James (Jim)

December 17, 1929-November 1, 2022

Jim Wilson passed away at River Heights Lodge in North Battleford, Sk. on November 1, 2022. He is sadly missed by his niece Kristina Weir and great nephews Jake and Jim of North Battleford, as well as various nieces, nephews and cousins in Scotland and Australia. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife Donna as well as their respective parents and siblings.

Jim was born in Motherwell, Scotland then emigrated to Canada in 1958, settling in Toronto. He married Donna Muirhead in 1961 and they relocated to Saskatoon, where they would spend most of their married life.

Jim went back to school and eventually became an archeologist with the Saskatchewan Research Council and Donna worked as a lab technician at the University of Saskatchewan. They loved to read, cook, garden, travel and meet new people. They were unable to have children so they often “adopted” students, friends and acquaintances from other provinces and countries! They also loved dogs and had two Cairn Terriers over the course of their marriage; dog walking was an important daily ritual! They looked after Donna’s parents and helped out elderly friends and neighbours as well.

Jim and Donna both took early retirement in the late 1980’s and moved to Parksville, Vancouver Island, where they lived for approximately 9 years. When Donna was diagnosed with dementia they returned to Saskatoon and she passed away in 2005 at Sunnyside Adventist Care Home.

After a few years Jim moved to Biggar to help care for his youngest sister, who’d been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Just as he had been with his wife, Jim was a kind and dedicated caregiver, allowing Ina to spend her last years at home. When Ina died in 2013, Jim stayed in Biggar. When his own health started to decline a few years later, he relocated to North Battleford to be near his remaining Canadian family.

Jim was a wonderful son, brother, husband, uncle, friend, neighbour and employee. He loved his life in Canada and the opportunities that it opened up for him and of course he loved Donna and the life they built together.

The family are extremely grateful to all of the medical staff and caregivers who provided care to Jim over the years, in Saskatoon, Biggar and the Battlefords, especially through the pandemic! Special thanks to Battlefords Home Care, River Heights Lodge, Fishers Drug Store and Pat Ford.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. at the Edwards Family Centre in Saskatoon, SK.  Interment will be held at a later date.  Memorial donations in memory of Mr. James Wilson can be directed to the Alzheimer’s Society or the CNIB – Guide Dog Program.  Condolences for the family can be made at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium – Vanessa Macnab Funeral Director.

• Date : 2022-12-30
• Location : North Battleford, SK