MARGARET FRASER (BOYES) SIGURDSSON

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MARGARET FRASER (BOYES) SIGURDSSON October 20, 1911 - January 2, 2003 Gently and with a serene dignity that marked her entire life, my mother quietly passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2003 at the Grace General Hospital. By her side at that precious moment were her granddaughter Carolyn and myself. She will continue to be loved, cherished and remembered by her husband Olgeir (Ole) of 48 years of marriage. Her only son Alex and his wife Zena; her four grandchildren, Sandra Boyes and Dr. James Leatch of Toronto, ON, Lieutenant (Navy) Fraser Boyes, wife Lila and great-grandson Michael of Halifax, David and Carolyn Boyes, both of Winnipeg. Mother was born to Alexander and Isabella Fraser, immigrants from Scotland, on October 20, 1911 in Brandon, MB. She was a bright, energetic young woman who at an early age displayed her ability to knit and crochet. Many samples of her beautifully intricate crocheted pieces exist in dozens of homes. Unable to pursue a career as an R.N. she turned to hairdressing and became a skilled practitioner of that art. When the Licensed Practical Nursing Program was introduced in Ontario in the early 1950s, she enrolled in that course and obtained straight As throughout. She practised as an LPN until her retirement in the late 1970s. She was the ultimate craftswoman. There was nothing that she put her hands to that she could not do. The knitting wool and crochet cotton that passed through her expert fingers during her productive lifetime would surely stretch to the moon and back! Just days before her death she was teaching her granddaughter Carolyn to crochet. It is difficult to capture a lifetime in a few sentences. She was a single mother in the 1930s and handled the needs of her parents and son masterfully. Mother worked hard her entire life, often holding down three jobs at a time to keep the family intact. When her father and mother died in 1944 and 1945, respectfully, she focused her attention on me, determined to see that I obtained a university education. I hope she knew that her efforts were rewarded. In 1953, she met Ole Sigurdsson, a Second World War R.C.A.F. veteran. They were meant for each other and were married on August 7, 1954 and spent 48 wonderful years together. They were inseparable - and still are. Her grandchildren were priceless to her. She was proud of them all; Sandra, the opera singer, Navy Lieutenant Fraser who ran the Canadian Navy; David who sells Canadas wheat overseas and Carolyn whose school choir enthused the residents at both Calvary and Catherine Place. One of the last sounds she heard was Carolyn singing her favorite songs, especially Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Mother would mouth the words as Carolyn sang to her. Mother was proud of her Scottish heritage and visited there with Ole in the late 1970s. Scottish memorabilia was to be found all over her home, later her apartment and finally in her room at Calvary Place. The motto of the Fraser clan is Je Seuis Pret - I am ready. Mother was always ready for whatever life served to her. When the end came last Thursday, she slipped quietly into that eternal rest which she had so justly earned. There will be a private family service on Sunday, January 5 in the Chapel of Memories in Wojciks Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Ave., followed by cremation. Interment will be at a time yet to be determined. Our family wishes to express our appreciation to the paramedics from Station 6, the excellent Grace Hospital Emergency Room staff and the compassionate staff of the fifth floor. Their empathy and care was most comforting to us all. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations in Mothers memory may be made to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent Street, Winnipeg, MB R2L 1X3. Let me end this obitbulkloaduary with the following thoughts of my mother who was also a wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin and friend to many. Just as she was, she will always be, treasured in our memory. No Goodbyes, Mother, just good memories. So be my passing! My task accomplished and the long day done, My wages taken, and in my heart Some late lark singing, Let me be gathered to the quiet west, The sundown splendid and serene. Love, Always from: Alex, Zena, Ruth, Sandra, Fraser, David, Carolyn, Ian, Christopher, Jo-Anne and Joey. WOJCIKS ALL BELIEFS & FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897-4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 04, 2003