MARGARET SMITH

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MARGARET SMITH On November 10, 2010, Margaret McGillivray Smith (nee Duncan), mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully with family by her side at the age of 88. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Leonard Stephen Smith; brothers, John and David Duncan; sisters, Jean Jackson, Nancy Harding and Helen Osinski; and son Fraser Philip Smith. She leaves to mourn, her children, Leona Mayer (Robert), Fletcher Smith and Stephen McKendry-Smith (Leslie); grand-children, Patrick Smith (Janet Castling), James Smith, Chris Mayer (Dyana Lavallee), Laura Pahl (Cory), Jim Haines (Victoria), Serena Rousseau (Stan Cross); and great-grand-children, Leonard John Smith, Melanie Thrones, Logan Haines and Hannah James. Margaret was very involved and interested in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Margaret was born on January 14, 1922 in the Town of Transcona. She was raised in Transcona, and has lived in the area for her entire life, strengthening the Duncan family's close ties to the community. Margaret had a lifelong love of music. She sang in choirs for 70 years including school choirs, church choirs and 15 years with the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir. She was a frequent soloist for Transcona Memorial United Church in the 1950s and 1960s, and directed the Vesper Choir in the 1960s. Her love of music spanned almost all genres including classical, jazz and popular music. Her children remember falling asleep to the sound of Mom quietly playing the Spinning Wheel Song on the piano. As a young woman, she worked at Ashdowns as a comptometer operator. When she became a mother, she worked at home raising her children. Born a city girl , she learned to love the farm and fulfilling the role of a farm wife. In spring and fall, she was always able to provide a good evening meal despite the uncertainty of the actual number of people she might be feeding. When her children were grown, she returned to the working world, serving as secretary at her church for 20 years. Her love of travel took her from Alaska to New Orleans and from the Rockies to the Maritimes. Her last major trip was to Hawaii with travelling companions from the choir. She was proud of her Scottish heritage and travelled to Scotland three times. Wherever she went, Margaret made new friends and she sustained many friendships for life. Margaret was dedicated to Transcona Memorial United Church. In addition to being the church secretary, she was a member of the United Church Women's group for many years, sang in the Chancel Choir, served in church governance and was an Honourary Elder. A service of celebration of Margaret's life will be held at Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Avenue West at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 15. A reception and lunch will follow in the church hall. Margaret's family conveys their thanks and gratitude for the exceptional care that she received during her stay at Park Manor Personal Care Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Park Manor Building Development Fund or Transcona Memorial United Church. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 13, 2010