MARGARET MCKINNON

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MARGARET MCKINNON Margaret Doreen McKinnon (nee Wright) passed away peacefully on her 87th birthday, Sunday, January 19, 2014, with family at her side. Margaret is survived by her son John (Leslie), grandchildren Anna Mae, Angus and Calum; son Chris, and daughter Catherine (Colleen). She was born in Arran, SK, in 1927, to Frank and Dorothy Wright, and was predeceased by her loving husband Jack McKinnon, and by her brothers Francis, Bernie and Ron. Mom's family soon moved to Kamsack, SK, where she grew up to be a superb tennis player and speedskater. As a teenager she loved to help her father Frank drive new cars off the train from Winnipeg for his car dealership, and enjoyed summers spent at nearby Madge Lake. As a young woman she won a local beauty pageant and later went to work for the Bank of Montreal. When the bank transferred her to Winnipeg, she found lodging at Walker House on Kennedy Street, where she met our father. Legend has it that when he first asked her out, she turned him down. In June, 1953, however, they were married in Kamsack by her parish priest Father Delaire, whom Dad had served as an altar boy back in Kenora, ON. Mom worked for the Portage and Main branch of the bank until she had her children. Jack and Margaret built a house in Woodhaven, St. James, later moving to River Heights. Once the children were raised, she returned to her working career, first as Volunteer Coordinator at Meals on Wheels, and later in the same position at Tache Nursing Centre. At Tache, Mom found a mentor in Sister Prevost of the Grey Nuns, who promoted her to Director of Pastoral Care. Mom thrived in her work at Tache, which was well-suited to her open and caring nature. Family life was at the heart of Mom's world. She was a prairie girl and hesitant swimmer who nonetheless bravely undertook piloting the boat for our childhood summers at Lake of the Woods. The lake was her favourite place. She built a rock garden, cooked wonderful meals, and loved to bake, being a master of the pumpkin pie. In retirement years Mom and Dad spent winters in Florida and Victoria, and travelled to Europe. When Mom's health changed, she moved to her last home at Tuxedo Villa. Although the Mom we knew had changed, she always felt better when she was in the presence of her family, and especially enjoyed visits from her grandchildren. She also loved her music therapy sessions. The family offers their heartfelt thanks to all of our mother's caregivers and nurses over the years at the Villa, who always showed compassion, kindness, and understanding. Please make a donation to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers. Funeral mass to be held at St. Ignatius Parish, 255 Stafford Street, at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 24, 2014. "Look ahead into the past, and back into the future, until the silence." Margaret Laurence

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 22, 2014