MARGARET ANTOINETTE WILLOUGHBY (JOHNSON)

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MARGARET ANTOINETTE WILLOUGHBY (nee JOHNSON) We announce the passing of our mother, Margaret Antoinette Willoughby. Margaret was born December 20, 1920 to Eva Louise and Freeman Johnson, at Shellbrook, Saskatchewan. She was predeceased by her mother Eva (1948) and father Freeman (1961), two sisters, Doreen (2013) and Myrtle (2007) and brother Gordon (2011). She was predeceased by her husband Norman (2002), son-in-law Bob (2004), daughters-in-law Judy and Desiree (2017). She is survived by sons Rod, Dwight (Leah), Randy (Alwine) and Ron (Lil) and daughter Charlotte Mitchell, and by one brother, Jack (Linda) Johnson. She will be missed by 12 grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and warmly remembered by nine great-grandchildren. Raised as the second eldest, she grew up on the Johnson homestead, a small farm her parents pioneered near the village of Canwood, Saskatchewan. She went to Cameo School and went further than most of her peers, and finished grade eleven. Norman lived on the nearby Willoughby farm. They were married in 1941. Like so many young people during the Second World War she raised Rod alone while Norman served overseas. She relocated to Winnipeg with her parents and siblings before the War ended. She greeted Norman as he returned from service on November 29, 1945 and together appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press as one of the reunited couples. Margaret managed on her own during the times Norman was recuperating in quarantine from tuberculosis. When he was well, Margaret, Norman, Doreen, Myrtle and Reg Walpole enjoyed summer days at Grand Beach. Later, Norm and Margaret acquired a cottage at Victoria Beach where they entertained family and friends. In 1950 Margaret and Norman bought a new house in Fort Garry and raised their family. Margaret's first vocation was her immediate family. She was a terrific cook, made great festive meals, and shared wonderful recipes with her daughters-in-law. Margaret had a flair and passion for fashion. She was a seamstress and designed her clothing, always with attention to detail matching dress, purse, hat and gloves. Her attitude to fashion lead her to Eaton's and The Bay where she was a model not only on the fashion floor, but in their newspaper ads as well. Margaret made a lot of the children's clothing, too. In the seventies she taught sewing casually at Vincent Massey Collegiate and Kelvin High School. Margaret loved babies and was delighted with the new grandchildren. She made many treasured clothes for her grandchildren and craft sales. Mom always had to be busy and always found tasks in need of doing. Margaret was a member of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and St. Paul's Anglican Church. She and Norm enjoyed square dancing. Margaret was a stronger person than most could image. She survived cancer three times. She entered the Convalescent Home and found new purpose by serving tea to the other residents. A special thank you to the staff of the Convalescent Home for the excellent care provided. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 6 at 2:00 pm at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue. Margaret will be laid to rest beside Norman in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, The Legion or St. Paul's Anglican Church. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 03, 2018