MARGARET FRANCES PIERCE

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MARGARET FRANCES PIERCE (DAISY) (nee FORBES) December 28, 1916 - January 15, 2017 It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Margaret (Daisy) Pierce at St. Boniface Hospital on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at the age of 100. She leaves to mourn her loss her children Maureen McNaught (Quinton), Rosalind Bezanson (Barry), Garvin Pierce (Elvy), and Stewart Pierce (Valerie); grandchildren Ian McNaught (Alanna), Ryan Bezanson, Sarah Harper (Chris), Tamara Pierce (Darryl), Cameron Pierce, Meghan Fowler (Marcus) , Braden Pierce, Matthew Pierce, James Pierce, and Andrew Pierce; great- grandchildren Callan, Kaitlin, Avery, Madison, Taven, Allison, Eric, Hannah, Ethan and Ella and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Glen (January 26, 2015); parents James and Matilda Forbes and her siblings, Elizabeth Gourlie, James Forbes, Violet Moffat, Norman Forbes, Edna Simpson and Olive Campbell. Born in Dunnamanagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, Daisy and her family immigrated to Canada through Pier 21, arriving in Winnipeg in 1927. She attended Machray School and St. John's High School, where she was active in student affairs, track and field, festival and school choirs, and Gilbert and Sullivan productions. She also excelled academically and combined both the business and matriculation programs so that at graduation she was able to begin her work in the Winnipeg School Division, where she worked as a secretary and later, as the head secretary at Lord Selkirk School. It was at Lord Selkirk that she met substitute teacher Glen Pierce, whom she had seen performing in the music festival piano classes. Glen became the great love of her life. They were married in 1942 and shared 73 wonderful years together. They were truly inseparable for all of these many years! While her focus was her growing family and supporting her husband's very busy career, Daisy also found time for volunteer and musical activities both in her church and in the community. Daisy was a consummate hostess, regularly entertaining and holding countless functions in the family home for all of Glen's musical friends and acquaintances. Daisy always accompanied Glen on his choir tours, serving as a chaperone and valued co-leader with him. Through her close contact with these students she developed many lasting friendships over the years. For close to 40 years following retirement Daisy and Glen spent their winters in Clearwater Beach, Florida, where Mother continued to expand her circle of friends but family was never far away as children and grandchildren would regularly join her there. Mother's circle of friends seemed to grow wherever she lived, and even this past Christmas her Floridian friends recalled an elaborate multi-course dinner she had prepared for them in her 96th year! They were, as with so many others wherever she went, so appreciative of her culinary skills and her great generosity when it came to holding dinner parties for friends and family. Macaroni casseroles, pies, and Irish scones and stews were just some of the many ways Grandma Pierce expressed her love for those around her. Throughout her marriage, the family cottage at Gull Lake was a central focus of Daisy's life from early spring to late fall. For the better part of 70 years lake life included morning swims and rows, lunch picnics and Scrabble games late into the evening. Winnipeg and out of town friends and relatives visited frequently, as they were always welcome and Daisy loved to entertain! There were constant parties and sing songs at the lake and this became an enduring feature of lake life. Whether it was a grandchild's graduation or a friend's birthday, there was always something to celebrate! Daisy had another set of cherished folk in her life - friends she made at the Gull Lake Gospel Chapel, which she and Glen attended faithfully each week for many years. In her later years the most important aspect of her life was her role as the matriarch of the family. She loved each and every one of her grandchildren deeply and for as long as her health permitted, she worked tirelessly to stay intimately involved in their lives. In this way, Daisy developed a uniquely strong and personal relationship with each and every one of them. She remembered their birthdays, without fail, and other important life events, demonstrating her love for them in practical and meaningful ways. She was a treasure to her grandchildren! As a devout Christian, Daisy lived out her faith by giving of herself unselfishly, with great affection, understanding and acceptance of those around her. A lifelong member of Bethesda Church, she trusted her Lord implicitly, cherishing the verse from Psalms 103:11, "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those that fear him." This verse was particularly meaningful to her in the latter years of her life. Daisy's "love of life" and her genuine love for her family, friends and acquaintances was evident to everyone she met. In essence, this remains one of Daisy's greatest gifts to all of us. As Mother celebrated her 100th birthday in her hospital bed she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren - the legacy and the joy of her life. Days later she said it was her most profound memory, the greatest gift that a mother could be given. When her mother, Grandma Forbes visited us as children, she taught us an Irish blessing. And when the visit was over and it was time for her to leave she always shared it with us. We now pray this for you, Mother: "Until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of His hand." The family wishes to extend their gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Rick Ross and Dr. Robert Kroeker for their ongoing support and care during the last few years.A memorial service will be held at Bethesda Church, 1380 Grant Ave. at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Union Gospel Mission or a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2017