MARGARET SAUNDERS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARGARET SAUNDERS (nee KOVACS) RN BA Margaret was born in Martonyi, Borsodmegye, Hungary on June 3, 1921. She was predeceased by her parents, Helen Kovacs (1975), Andrew Kovacs (1976); her sister Mary Lou (1937) and her brother Leslie (1999). She is survived by her sisters, Helen Matthews of Montreal and Alice of Grand Bend, Ontario. Margaret immigrated to Canada with her family in 1927. They first settled in Grove Park, SK later moving to Whitewood where she grew up and received her formative education. In 1941 Margaret entered the St. Boniface Hospital Nurse Training School graduating with her RN in 1944. She spent one year in the Surgical Ward at St. Boniface then returned to Whitewood where she took duties of Matron at the Community Hospital. In 1947 Margaret moved to Regina returning to surgery at Regina General Hospital. The next year she was appointed OR Supervisor, a position she held until 1952 when she moved to Windsor, ON continuing her operating room career at the hospitals there. In 1954 she was invited to supervise the OR at Grace Hospital, a position she held until 1959. In 1955 she married Eugene Saunders. They have two daughters, Patricia Ann (Bryan Walker) of Kleefeld, MB and Donna Jean (William Bennett) of Burnaby, BC. In 1949 - 1950 Margaret took a post-graduate nursing course in surgery at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital and later in life she continued her education graduating in 1992 with a BA from the University of Winnipeg. She also received an award for Volunteer Service from the Canadian Red Cross; was an active in the ACW of the Anglican Church; and for three years served in a Brownie Pack as Snowy Owl. Margaret loved her family, loved nursing, loved gardening, loved reading, loved cooking. Margaret loved life. I'M FREE Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free I'm following the path, God laid for me I took His hand when I heard Him call I turned my back and left you all. I could not stay another day To laugh and love, to work, or play Tasks left undone must stay that way I had to leave at the dawn of Sunday. If my parting has left a void Fill it with some remembered joy: A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, A walk in the park, or a glance at the stars. Be not burdened with times of sorrow, I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life's been full, I've savored much, Good friends, a loved one's touch Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, Don't lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your heats and s hare with me. God wanted me now, He set me free. Author Unknown In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Arthritis Society, 105 - 386 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R6 or The St. Boniface Hospital and Research Foundation, D1003 409 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6. A memorial service to celebrate Margaret's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 13 at St. Peter's Anglican Church, 755 Elm Street. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200 www.nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 10, 2007