MARGARET ELIZABETH HIRKALA

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MARGARET ELIZABETH HIRKALA November 6, 1938 Harbin, Manchuria - April 16, 2008 Ottawa,Canada Like many of the present generation around the world, Margaret was born into a very fast moving world. By the time she reached the age of 14, she had been born in Manchuria, survived several enemy occupations, fled to Germany via Sri Lanka, and finally moved through Nova Scotia to Winnipeg. There with her father (Arkadius) and her mother (Zoya), they began a new life and established several businesses. A short time later, Margaret met the love of her life, Bernie in 1954 and they were married in 1956. Margaret was the most amazing friend and mother. She knew many people around her wherever she was and had friendships with all ranges of people, not just those with whom she had close contact. She and Bernie had five children together, and raised them in Winnipeg and Ottawa together. Her family, volunteering and travel were her passions. Predeceased by her father (1999) and her mother (2004), this amazing woman speeds to Heaven from her adoring husband Bernie, and her loving children Brenda (Greg), Jamie (Tammy), Mark (Yoan), Cheryl (Jack), and Deb (Jed), as well as twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. I had spent 51+ happy years together with a woman who I vowed to honour and cherish. I had not always been there for her and I would gladly give up my life if I could just hold her in my arms again and tell her how much I love her. After surviving a ruptured brain aneurysm and two major strokes, that took the true Mother and wife away from her husband, family and friends for six years, she joined her parents once again. Blessed be her memory. Funeral was held on Sunday April 20.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2008