MARGARET ADA HOLMES (MURPHY)

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MARGARET ADA HOLMES (nee MURPHY) Peacefully, on September 10, 1999 in her 102nd year, Moms energetic and generous life came to an end. She will be remembered with much love and gratitude by her children and her extended family from P.E.I. to Alberta. A bright and capable woman, who reacted with courage to lifes challenges, she leaves a legacy of faith and hope to those near and dear to her. After graduation from Prince of Wales College (Charlottetown), she taught in rural P.E.I. to classes which included brothers, sisters and many McCardle cousins. In 1918, Mom immigrated to Western Canada and chose a new career, nursing. Upon graduation from Regina Grey Nuns Hospital, she found employment at the Mayo Clinic, then in Toledo and in southern California. With her husband, John Holmes of Limerick, Ireland, she settled in Manitoba where Ronald and Catherine were born. As a parent, Mom took up the traditional crafts of the home: cooking, sewing, various types of handwork and gardening, all done with skill and relish! Throughout her life, she remained fascinated by modern technology and its applications to day-to-day living. While in rural Manitoba and later in Norwood, Mom was active in community events. She belonged to the Catholic Womens League; she took part in fund raising for the parish as well as for local interest groups; she joined a prayer group and attended Bible study sessions. One of her great pleasure in life was entertaining relatives and friends from home, which always remained P.E.I. Indeed, summer holidays on the Island were a family highlight for many years. In the late 1950s she resumed her nursing career. Her friendly competence was much appreciated in private duty cases. Old age brought with it the usual cortege of frailties. Mom coped with these with as much patience as she could muster, being the spirited Irishwoman she was! Happily she never lost her sense of humour. Most sincere thanks to Tache Centre for the comfort and care she enjoyed in her last years. Mass of Christian Burial to take place on Tuesday, September 14 at Holy Cross Parish, at 10:00 a.m. Viewing will take place at 9:30 a.m. She has gone no further from us than to God, and God is very near. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 11, 1999