MARGARET LEWKO

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MARGARET LEWKO June 3, 1929 - January 11, 2019 It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Margaret Theresa Lewko. Margaret was born in Tolstoi, Manitoba, Canada. She was born on a farm, as were her six sisters and one and only brother. In fact, her brother, Alec, was born on Halloween. When they realized the baby boy had been born while they were at school, their mother stated that the witch had brought him. Life growing up on the farm in rural Canada was very challenging. Margaret told about one experience when she went to pump water from the well when it was 49 below zero. The pump was frozen, and there was no water for the farm that day. Margaret wrote a memoir of her experiences called "Life on the Farm" which included the challenges she and her siblings faced working the farm with their grandfather and two ill parents. Margaret started her teaching career in Canada. One day she and another teacher were standing in front of the school. Paul and a friend drove by and offered them a ride. Unfortunately, the girls only had to walk across the street to be home. Fortunately, they went for a ride with the boys anyway. Margaret and Paul were married on August 2, 1952. In February, 1964, Margaret travelled to California by train with four small children and one on the way. Paul had gotten a job and she took that difficult trip to meet him in sunny, Southern California. She resumed her teaching career as well as caring for her young children. She often stated that she had five wonderful children that she wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Paul and Margaret enjoyed fishing and camping with the kids on weekends. Believe it or not, she found time to volunteer as a Brownie Troop Leader and teach catechism classes. At the beginning of each summer, she would make the rounds of the secondary schools. She would gather all of the shoes and clothing left in the lockers. She would meticulously clean everything, and then it was donated to a church that distributed it in Mexico. A move to Northern California and the desire to attain a Bachelor of Social Science degree also brought about a new career. Margaret started as a Counselor at the Fairfield Juvenile Hall where she ended her 20-year career as a Home Supervision Officer for Solano County Probation Department. She met and counseled many troubled kids along the way and surely made a difference in many of their lives. After retirement, besides volunteering at the Solano Food Bank sorting food, Margaret spent time on her favourite leisure activities. She created ceramics, crocheted doilies and afghans and took oil painting classes. She loved Bob Ross, and she painted over 25 of his paintings. She enjoyed playing cards, dominoes and Bunco with her dear friends. She had so much fun playing games and laughing with her ladies. She loved gardening, cooking, baking, and perusing cookbooks. Many of these pursuits she shared with her children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, four sisters and a brother. She is survived by her sisters, Frances and Marion, son Patrick, daughters, Marilyn Tigner (Guy), Beverley, Sharon Riehl (Randy) and Paula Wentworth (Bill), granddaughter Christina, grandsons, Nicholas and Jacob, and great-granddaughter India. We thank her wonderful caregiver (Ardy) for loving and taking great care of our mom. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2019 at Holy Spirit Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Paradise Elementary School, 1421 Bird Street, Oroville, CA 95965. Specify grade level or department if you wish.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 19, 2019