MARGARET HURST (HAVERSTOCK)

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MARGARET HURST (nee HAVERSTOCK) Margaret Hurst (nee Haverstock) was born in Brandon, MB., October 2, 1914 and passed away July 3, 2003 in Sydney, BC. She was the third daughter of Kathryn and Henry Haverstock of Brandon. She is predeceased by her parents; three sisters, Kathryn, Mary, Emily and two brothers, John and Phil. She was predeceased by her loving husband Alfred and yet he never left her thoughts, as she often referred to him in many ways, still remembering their great trips together, their struggles, their first home together and the fun they had over the years with curling and walks together. She is survived by a daughter Janet Hansen; granddaughter Patti Russell; 2 great-grandchildren, Michael Lambert and Sarah Russell and a great-great-grandson Brandon Lambert all of California. She also leaves 2 sisters-in-law, Mardie and Bernice along with their children. She leaves 2 dear friends who were with her until the end, Fern Watson and Mary Adams. Margaret had planned to be a teacher and attended normal school at an early age then decided on a business course and later worked for the Great West Saddlery in Winnipeg, then for a short time in Eatons and later held a responsible job in the Manitoba Legislature Building working in Public Works department and then the Comptroller office in the auditing department. She retired in 1976 at the age of 61 and she spent some of her time visiting her family in California before moving there in 1985. In California she spent a great deal of time with her great-grandson with many hours of discussion, games and taking in the park and even baking cookies together. Margaret has been the guiding, strength and pillar we have all leaned and depended on. She probably was never really cognizant of how much her family loved her and when she moved back to Canada how they worried and missed her. She was the peacemaker for all of us, the one that we kept peace for, because we all knew how upset she got when her family was at odds which although not often, was still distressing to her. Her family called her the "backbone" of the family because she was always there for us, always ready to hep us in whatever way she could, be it spiritual, physical or just there. She enjoyed learning to swim at the age of 70, and took part in gym classes and kept very fit until a bad fall in the year 2000 when she had a mild stroke and fell backwards, crushing some bones in her back. She fought to regain her ability to walk, her strength and she fought to put up a good front although in constant pain for a long while and finally overcame her infirmity and once again took her walks albeit slowly and was again able to get out to hear the music she loved and to take part in activities again. She suffered a few minor strokes until on day..... the trumpets blared, the heavens opened and God took her home. Margaret will be greatly missed by all of her family, particularly her daughter who was there with her during some early trying times, who shared a loving secret for many years and who will always remember her beloved "Margie" who stood behind, and beside her daughter all these years. For my mother God walked with my mom, he saw her pain He was there when her heart was full He knew when He would be calling her home But he saw we needed her too. She was our gift from Him, our pleasure these years And she filled our lives with hope Her fairness to all, her dissolving our tears Was her mission designed just for us. The time had come when she tired of life When her will was getting low We begged her to stay and so she hung on For us, she would stay one more day. But God saw her become slow, He knew how she felt And he wanted her there with Him One more last task, she must say goodbye Then in mercy He called her home What a reunion there is in heaven today! A family together again But I know in my heart-shes with us too And thank God-she if free of pain. Well be together again-and wont we rejoice When at last we too hear Him call What joy will be ours, to see her again Our Great Gram, Gram, Mother-our all Go peacefully mother, your rewards are just starting. We will always remember a great lady. From your daughter Janet, Patti and your "dynasty" you left behind.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2003