Molgat Hughes, Marguerite

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MOLGAT HUGHES: Sadly we announce the passing of Marguerite Molgat Hughes on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. A bright and sustaining light in our lives has gone out. Marguerite was a remarkable person, friend, co-worker, wife and mother. She lit up the room with her beautiful smile and entranced you with her brilliant blue eyes. She was well loved by friends and family and fondly remembered by all that came into contact with her. Marguerite arrived in this world at Shoal Lake Hospital on April 29, 1949 to the joy of her parents Louis and Blanche Molgat. She lived with her family of 4 siblings above the Molgat Store in Strathclair until 1964 when they moved to Vancouver, only to return in 1965 to Ste. Rose, Manitoba. In 1966, Marguerite was sent to finish high school at St. Michaels Academy in Brandon. After graduating in 1968, she attended The University of Manitoba to attain her Bachelor of Home Economics in 1970 and her teaching certificate in 1973. After graduation in 1970, she was employed by the Department of Agriculture as a Home Economist in Sudbury, ON and then in 1973 as Extension Home Economist in Portage La Prairie, MB. In 1976, she went on a blind date in Brandon which began a two year long distance courtship back and forth to Portage, culminating in her marrying her partner for life, Dave Hughes in 1978. They had two of their friends, both United Church Ministers, perform the wedding ceremony at Central United Church following Marguerite's mantra… "Home Ecs. do it better". Marguerite worked as the 4H specialist and Extension Home Economist in Brandon before moving over to Health in 1984 after the birth of her daughter Nicole. Marguerite stayed with Prairie Mountain Health as a Home Economist until 2001 when she suffered a major stroke. This ended her working career as a Professional Home Economist but not her ability to volunteer. She was active with many groups and organizations in Brandon over the ensuing years. Marguerite was a founding Director of Westman Aphasia Inc. and she received the Mayors Volunteer Award and the Manitoba Association of Home Economists Distinguished Home Economist Award. Even though Marguerite was forced to retire due to her stroke, her will, determination and zest for life allowed her to accomplish many things that she was told she would never ever be able to do. She learned to speak again and how to care for herself. She even mastered doing the daily cryptoquotes in the Brandon Sun. She learned to walk, first one step, then 2, then 10,000 was a daily activity. She was known around the neighbourhood for her daily hikes. She learned to drive again with a little vehicle modification. She took up making cards, which were prized by anyone who was a recipient. She loved being around her grandchildren, tending to her flower gardens, travelling to foreign locals and spending time at the family cottage just outside of Clear Lake. Marguerite was surrounded by many special friends. Her "sisters", Heather, Sharon, Sheryl-Lee and Kathy, a group who were storm stayed together during a blizzard and gathered often after that to enjoy fancy meals, good wine and lively, raucous conversations in the absence of their husbands. Glenn and Wendy, who have camped and traveled with the Hughes for over 30 years. Lynn, her partner in card making, Charlotte, her walking buddy, Helen and Maureen her church partners, Jim and Kelly the Kings Crib challengers, Karen and Erna her school mates, Lynda and Mona her fellow Home Ec. members, close long distance friends John and Jane in Halifax, Jennifer and Bill in Okotoks and Hazel and Don in Lethbridge, plus many others. Marguerite is survived by her husband Dave; daughter Nicole (Cory) McMurachy, grandchildren Aurora and Kaizer; stepson Darren (Julie) Hughes, grandchildren Aiden and Noah; stepson Chad Hughes, grandchildren Brodie, Tori and Hogan; sister Anna (Ron) Desilet, nieces and nephews Jeanne, Lisa, Pierre, Benoit, Daniel and Philip; brother Ernest (Janice) Molgat, nephews Marc, John Paul and Christian; brother Paul (Glenda) Molgat, niece Chatelle, nephew Vincent; brother-in-law Stan Mirecki, niece Marie Noel and nephew Louis Felix; brother-in-law Robert Hughes, niece Ashley and nephew Adam; and all their partners and children, as well as numerous cousins. Marguerite was predeceased by her parents Louis and Blanche Molgat, sister Lucie Molgat Mirecki, granddaughter Mikaela and sister-in-law Betty Hughes. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. John Okosun as celebrant. Interment will follow at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. The family invites you to view the recording of the Mass on Marguerite's memorial page at www.memorieschapel.com after Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Because we are unable to celebrate Marguerite's life together in a fashion she would enjoy, we ask that you raise a glass of your favourite wine to her memory and toast to a wonderful woman. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marguerite may be made to Westman Aphasia Inc., 100-1300-18th St., Brandon, MB R7A 6X7.

Expressions of sympathy may be made at
www.memorieschapel.com