MARGARET LILLIAN CLAYTON (MATTHEWS)

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MARGARET LILLIAN CLAYTON (nee MATTHEWS) With sorrow, we announce Margarets death, at the age of 70, on Sunday, October 21, 2001. Margaret was born April 25, 1931 in Winnipeg, MB. She is predeceased by her father Alex Matthews, and her mother, Irene (nee Hobday). She will always be loved and missed by her husband of 48 years Gerald; her sons, Reg (Lydia) and Alex and her daughters, Laurie (John), Karen and Sherry Lynn (Michael). Grandma Clayton will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Caroline and Jonathan Clayton, Lily and Isabel Krasa, Chantal and Christina OLeary and Clayton Ducharme. They would like to have kept her longer but they are grateful for the time they had with Grandma. Margaret attended John M. King and Earl Grey schools and graduated from Kelvin High School in 1949. She took her nursing training at Misericordia Hospital, graduating in the class of 52B. She received her RN in October of 1952. Margaret and Jerry married on November 29, 1952 and she began a long, successful career as a nurse. An only child herself, she and Jerry wanted a big family, and they got one! Her nursing abilities came in handy at home as she juggled the pressures of wife, mother and working woman for many years. Margarets 25 year nursing career began with the position of Head Nurse at Misericordia Hospital (at the tender age of 21). She was a public health nurse in the 1960s and concluded her career with nine years duty in the labour and delivery ward of Victoria Hospital. Many a new mom expressed gratitude to Margaret for her capable, quiet care. More than a dozen babies were brought into this world by nurse Margaret herself. Her career was interrupted five times (to give birth to her own children) and once to accompany her husband and family on a C.I.D.A. assignment in Khon Kaen, Thailand. In 1979 to 1980 she journeyed to England with Jerry for his sabbatical. Margaret was an excellent cook. She enjoyed bridge, reading, camping and travel. In the last few years she found peace and pleasure in the family cottage at Redditt, ON. Margaret faced the many challenges life poses with fortitude and determination. She believed in honesty, hard work, and family. When faced with a serious illness she insisted on knowing all the facts and, armed with information, made many difficult decisions in her usual rational manner. Margaret chose calm rather that hysteria and acceptance rather than bitterness. Her astonishing courage will always be admired by those she left behind. Margaret was a lifelong caregiver, looking after her mother, her Aunt Lil, her step-father Ernie Barclay, her father-in-law Reg Clayton, her five kids, her husband, and of course the many people she nursed in her distinguished career. It was only recently that she was relieved of most of her caregiving responsibilities. She looked forward to some freedom in her golden years but it was not to be. It was an honour to look after Margaret in her final days and repay, to a small degree, the care she lavished on all of us throughout her life. She was much loved by her family and friends. Though she was a stoic by nature, she took solace from us in her final days and made sure that we knew it. In turn, we were comforted by the purity of her love. She cared for others more than herself, to the end. Marg, those of us fortunate enough to know and love you will always miss your humour, loyalty, common sense and gentle care. We know you are finally free of pain; we know you are at peace. This helps us start to accept your absence. You will always be present in our hearts. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 24 at 2:00 p.m. in Transcona Memorial United Church, 209 Yale Ave., West with Rev. Jeff Cook officiating. In lieu of flowers, people may wish to make a donation to Cancer Care Manitoba. We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Woo and the post-operative staff at Concordia Hospital, Dr. Eng Chan, and Dr. Krahn, Dr. Cook and the staff at Cancer Care Manitoba, St. Boniface Unit. Thank you to Angie, our nurse Marie, nurse Colleen, and the people at St. Boniface Palliative Care. The family is particularly grateful to eldest daughter Laurie for her devotion and loving care. This compassionate team helped Margaret achieve her last wish, to die with dignity. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, in the comfort of her own home. GREEN ACRES 222-3241

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 23, 2001