MARGIE ANNE FALLIS

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MARGIE ANNE FALLIS

June 15, 1943 - September 4, 2025

A woman who lived her life with purpose, intention, a clear vision 

and consequently has left a long-lasting legacy.

Margie Anne Fallis was born, June 15,1943. She was raised on a farm near Crystal City, Manitoba with her parents, Harold (Fallis) and Iva (Sharpe) (both predeceased) and her sister Diane (McLory, also predeceased).

Margie was a shy, quiet little girl who loved all animals, horses in particular. Her passion for horses lasted her entire life. As a young girl, Margie would ride her horse to school and then when older a motorcycle. This was the beginning of Margie’s independence.

She was surrounded by many aunts, uncles and cousins during her early life. When she completed Grade 12, Margie moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba. She received her Bachelor of Arts (1964) and Bachelor of Social Work (1965). In 1966, she worked on her Master of Social Work. Her dissertation was done with Children’s Home with Clive Bates as her field supervisor. Her first job was also at Children’s Home where she began her lifelong service to generations of children and young people who carried burdens not of their choosing. This is also where she began her friendship with Ruth Hardern who would remain a lifelong friend. This was the beginning of Margie’s community of friends who became her network and her family. Margie worked for Clive Bates at Children’s Home from 1966 to1973 from where she was eventually fired due to her strong personal beliefs which became incompatible with her employer. She was effectively a trailblazer as her vision did not fit with the direction Children’s Home was taking at the time. This significant change solidified her own vision, and she resolved to help children find the safety, care, compassion and unconditional love that she felt all children deserved. Margie then worked as a field agent for the Children’s Aid Society (1973 to 1978) out of Portage La Prairie. She again met people who would become her friends and supports enabling her to accomplish her ultimate vision. After a few years with the agency, many friends and colleagues including John Chudzik, asked Margie to run the agency group home which she did from 1978 to 1982. At this time, she would meet Margot and Annemarie who would work with her in the beginnings of her work at the group home and develop lifelong friendships. In 1982 in Portage La Prairie, Quest Group Home Inc. was born. Quest was her passion, her vision and her baby. Here she embodied a deep sense of communal responsibility for the safety and care of vulnerable children, breathing kindness and thoughtfulness into her diligent work of managing and caring for so many young girls. With friends and staff, she created a sense of family and belonging for countless individuals, who had never experienced unconditional love. Margie was a mom, a teacher, a leader, an advocate, a mentor, and a grandma to generations of people. All who knew Margie, and were touched by her care, compassion and unconditional love were truly blessed. Many felt Margie had earned her wings on Earth, as many young girls in her care felt she saved their lives. This is the long-lasting legacy Margie left. As a result over the course of her work life, Margie also made special long-term connections with Claudette, Wynnona, Mandy and her children. We are all truly grateful for the trailblazing qualities that have left many lives changed forever.

Aside from living a life of service to vulnerable people, Margie was able to have a personal life. She loved animals of all kinds. She had a dog named Tawny she bought and took to Children’s Home. When she left Children’s Home, Tawny came to live with her. She also lived with Sebastian, the Great Dane, who belonged to her friend Ruth. She had many cats - far too many to mention - both at Quest, and at home. She loved going to the movies, whether by herself or with some of her many friends: Ruth, April, Evelyn, Annemarie, Claudette, Margot and many more. She was an avid reader with Stephen King being one of her favourite authors. She loved to travel, and made many trips throughout the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Her favourite trip was to Africa with her close friend Annemarie. Margie and Ruth made many road trips together over the ensuing years. They often travelled to Okotoks, Alberta to watch horse jumping at Spruce Meadows. Margie loved sporty cars and owned many during her lifetime. She drove a Mustang, a Dodge Challenger, to mention a few. She cared for her cars as she did everything else… with love. She loved to drive fast and as a result got numerous speeding tickets while in her 20s and 30s. Years were also spent enjoying life at her cottage in Silver Harbour near Gimli, Manitoba.

The last three years were extremely challenging for Margie. Her health declined, and she was no longer able to be independent. She moved to the Wellington which was an independent seniors’ complex. She continued in her progressive decline resulting in her eventually being wheelchair bound which necessitated a final move to West Park Manor where she received the extra care she required. Margie died peacefully in her sleep on September 4, 2025. Thank you to the staff at West Park Manor for the care and compassion she received.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, October 24, 2025, starting at 1:30 p.m. with fellowship following until 4:30 p.m. at The First Unitarian Universalist Church at 603 Wellington Crescent. There will be an open microphone for friends and family to share memories.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name can be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society.

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes

it has gone through to achieve that beauty. - Maya Angelou

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 11, 2025