Margaret BLACK

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BLACK: Margaret of Brandon, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Brandon Hospital on August 10, 2013. Mom was born May 9, 1920 to Alexander and Anne Johnston. She was the fifth of six children. She and her family moved to Kelloe, MB when she was 10 years old. Mom married James Alexander Black on June 1, 1944. They raised four children, Lynn Madden of Rivers, MB, Wayne of Brandon, Doug (Sherri) of Brandon and Dana (Penny) of Souris, MB. She was predeceased by her parents, all of her brothers and sisters, her husband in 2005 and her son -in-law, Barry Madden in 2010. She leaves to mourn, her children, 8 grandchildren, 14 great- grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She would have become a great-great-grandmother in November. While in Minnedosa Mom played ball with the Minnedosa Maroons, a terrific team of ladies. They even played in the States. They won a beautiful trophy and it is still in the family today. Her love of baseball carried over into watching her sons play in the Brandon Centennial Men’s Fastball League. Dad coached for awhile and Mom was always there, sometimes so vocal that the umpire had to caution her. Mom also enjoyed music and watching her son Dana play drums in Dad’s Orchestra. Mom also enjoyed curling and did so for many years in Minnedosa. Many hours were spent in front of the TV watching curling in later years. Mom worked at the old Patricia Cafe, the Red & White Grocery Store, Harry’s Bakery and in the Eaton’s mailorder. Mom and dad moved to Brandon in 1968 where she continued to work for Eaton’s, first in the shoe department, then again in the mailorder. Camping played a big part in our lives. Many summers found mom and dad in Rivers, Brandon and Moosomin. They also traveled the harness racing circuit, taking their motorhome and meeting their friends wherever the race was. Mom was the center of many of our camping memories, the egg throwing contest (that her team won because she had hard boiled their eggs), the water fights, card games, lawn darts and baseball. Family was the most important part of mom’s life. She was always there to lend a helping hand, to talk to, to babysit or to help us in any way she could. A day never passed without a phone call or a quick visit with her from someone in the family. Mom moved into Hobb’s Manor in 2008 and really loved it there. She played shuffle board, tile rummy and beanbag baseball. She had a gift of making and keeping friends. They would always pop in for tea or a chat. Mom broke her hip in May and never really recovered. She was always very independent so not being able to just get up and go was very hard on her. Her mind was clear till the end but her body just gave out. Mom’s wish was for a private graveside funeral with just family and a family lunch to follow. She is buried with dad in the Veteran’s Cemetery. We had a family lunch at Doug and Sherri’s with much food, laughter and a whole lot of sharing memories of Mom. It would have been the kind of get together that she would have loved. Family members spoke at the service and though there were many tears, we know that she is at peace and with all of her other family. Brockie Donovan were in charge of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 24, 2013