MARGRET INGIBJORG GRAVEL (BENJAMINSON)

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MARGRET INGIBJORG GRAVEL (nee BENJAMINSON) On December 13, 2008, in Selkirk General Hospital, our loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, Margret Ingibjorg Benjaminson Gravel passed away in her 87th year, after a lengthy illness. Margret was born and raised in the Lundar area, one of 10 children in Benjamin and Helga Benjaminson's large Icelandic family, recent immigrants from Iceland. Margret was predeceased by her husband, Raymond Gravel, in 1999 and her seven siblings. She leaves to hold dear in her memory, her daughter Naomi Gravel (Rick Jost); son Lyall Gravel (Sandy); three grandchildren, Neil Morgan-Gravel (Suzanne and two daughters, Kayla and Amanda), Alexis Manson and Thad Manson. Also left to cherish her memory, are her oldest and youngest siblings, sister Asa Jennings and brother Numi Benjaminson, as well as several nieces and nephews. Our mother was a kind, sensitive and non-judgemental person who possessed a gentle soul. She was a talented seamstress who could create a fashionable garment from an old coat, or knit us a sweater, mitts or socks, all without help of a pattern. As children, we warmly remember her reading us poetry, particularly, one of her favourites, a Robert Service poem, The Shooting of Dan McGrew . Our mother had a keen interest in politics and world events, was a voracious reader, with a sharp wit. She was employed in her early years as a comptometer operator and later as an office clerk, but mostly, she spent her time at home raising her family, with many vacations spent at our cottage at Gull Lake and the family homestead in Lundar, with her two beloved brothers, Hjortur and Numi. Mom was very proud of her Icelandic heritage and surely embodied the spirit of her ancestors. The family wishes to express their deepest thanks and appreciation to the caring staff at Red River Place and the Selkirk Hospital. At our mother's request, there will be no service. A private interment has been held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to the Manitoba Lung Association. Then on a sudden the music changed, so soft that you scarce could hear: But you felt that your life had been looted clean of all that it once held dear Robert Service DESJARDINS 233-4949 1-888-233-4949

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 20, 2008