MARGARET ELEANOR BOUGHTON (STEVENS)

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MARGARET ELEANOR BOUGHTON (nee STEVENS) March 19, 1925 - December 31, 2006 Margaret passed away at Seven Oaks General Hospital on December 31, 2006, with her daughter at her side. She is predeceased by her husband Harry (1978) and her brother Manley (1998). She is survived by her brother Larry in Windsor and daughter Brenda in Winnipeg. Margaret's 1942 St. James Collegiate yearbook reads, Margaret Stevens is one of the bright girls of X1A, and is what you might call a good sport. She plays the piano well, but is reluctant to display her talents in public. Specialty - getting 100% in Mathematics. And she loved to dance and roller skate. Margaret met Harry while working in the Eaton's Mail Order. They married in 1957 and lived in East Elmwood, raising a skinny thing of a girl and encouraging her pursuit of music, dance, writing, and sports. In the 1960s and 1970s Margaret cared for her family. For amusement she entered every contest requiring a writer's skill - creating jingles and stories on her sturdy Royal typewriter. Her ability to sling words together won her many a cash prize or household item (and one motorcycle). She won so many of The Winnipeg Tribune's Tribtoon caption contests that, fearing dismissal by the contest judges, she began submitting entries under cover - using the names of friends and neighbours. The number of winners who lived near the Boughtons was curious, indeed. She was also ahead of her time in the 1970s, with her interest in yoga, natural healing, and the foods we now associate with good health setting her apart from the mainstream. After Harry died, Margaret worked at Investors Group, retiring in 1992. In retirement she had more time for knitting and crafts, spoiling her cat, and coaxing flowers to bloom in the yard she and Harry had been so proud of. Charitable giving was also very important to her. Although markedly shy, on social occasions Margaret could get a room laughing with her quick wit. And she would take on all comers at Scrabble. She and I had a tournament lasting 17 years. (She won.) In 1999, Scrabble became difficult for her. This marked the onset of dementia, the demon that would eventually steal her gift of language from her. In April 2005 Margaret moved to River East Personal Care Home. After breaking her hip in May 2006, she became increasingly frail. Through these challenges my mother and I found a new closeness. I have a good life because of the gifts she has given me: some of these keep me employed, others simply keep me happy. Thank you my dear, courageous Stevie. I am grateful to the staff at River East. Special thanks to my mom's friends on Courage Bay, who doted on her and brightened her days by dancing with her and singing songs. Thanks also to Ruth Zetner at Seven Oaks and to Tammy, who ensured my mom had a quiet room for her final hours. Burial has taken place. If friends desire, donations may be made in Margaret's memory to Quagga's Stray Cat Rescue. Glen Eden Funeral Home, 338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 06, 2007