MARGARET ALICE PIASECKI (HAMPLE)

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MARGARET ALICE PIASECKI (HAMPLE) Margaret passed away peacefully from cancer on Thursday, May 17, 2007, at the Victoria General Hospital. Born in Winnipeg February 1, 1927, Margaret was predeceased by her parents Charles and Olive Hample (Matthams); and beloved brother Bud. She is survived by her devoted husband John; daughters, Mia Kinal and Della Wheadon (Dale); son Jon Piasecki (Linda Cain); grandchildren, Maxx, Griffin, Alannah, Nathan, Maura; and great-grandchildren, Thaea and Thomas; and numerous extended family. From a very early age, Margaret was drawn to the world of dance. One of the first students of Gweneth Lloyd and Betty Farrally (co-founders of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet) at the Winnipeg Ballet School, she danced with the company from 1938 to 1948. In ensuing years Margaret danced in Montreal, New York and London. While in England, she appeared in musical comedy, cabarets, ballet, and in British television and film. Upon returning to Winnipeg, she performed as a guest artist with the RWB. It was then she met her future husband, John, who was a member of the Ballet Board of Directors and its publicity chair. Prior to her retirement from dance to raise her family, Margaret appeared in numerous Rainbow Stage productions, and in two CBC TV variety series, It's Magic and Hit Parade. A multi-faceted and talented woman, Margaret was an alumnus of the University of Manitoba having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1948. Concurrently she balanced her career in dance and life as a homemaker with a career in Laboratory Technology working at the original Grace General Hospital, St. Boniface General Hospital, Manitoba Cancer Foundation and the Winnipeg Municipal Hospitals. Other career initiatives in Winnipeg, and in Edmonton (where she and John lived through the 1980s) included real estate, retail sales, and banking. Margaret returned to Winnipeg from Edmonton in 1989 with her passion for dance intact. She soon immersed herself in Winnipeg's dance and arts community, and was a founding member of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Alumni Association and served several terms as President. She was driven to ensure that dance memories were preserved in suitable archival fashion. Her most recent endeavour was co-founding of the Winnipeg Dance Preservation Initiative. Her family is extremely grateful for the tender care given by the Victoria General Hospital staff on Unit 4 South that eased and comforted Margaret in her final journey. Special thanks to Saroj, Tammy, Jackie and Roxanne, and to Drs. Penner and Maxwell. You truly demonstrate that the Vic is a small hospital with a big heart. Ballerina, wife, mother, grandmother, friend and mentor, Margaret's love, kindness, wisdom and her particular sense of humour reached and touched many far and wide. We who loved her know that to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. Family, friends and colleagues are invited to participate in a celebration of Margaret on Thursday, June 7, 2007, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in the Founders' Studio at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, 380 Graham Avenue, Winnipeg. Cremation has taken place and a private family interment will be held at a future date. Flowers are gratefully declined. There were two endeavours that Margaret spoke of in the last few months that were on her to do list. One was planning for the RWB Alumni Association 70th Reunion, and the other was the establishment of an alumni scholarship. We would greatly appreciate that contributions to honour Margaret's memory be made to the RWB Alumni Association Scholarship care of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and School, 380 Graham Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4K2. The first award of this scholarship to a student in the Professional Division will be in 2009, the 70th Anniversary of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Thomson In the ParK Funeral Home and Cemetery 1291 McGillivray Blvd. www.thomsoninthepark.com 925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 26, 2007