MARGARET GERTRUDE BLANCHARD (WEBB) -

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MARGARET GERTRUDE BLANCHARD (nee WEBB) 1907 - 2003 It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dearly loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Margaret Gertrude Blanchard on August 2, 2003. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 49 years, Edward Alfred Blanchard (Ted) in 1977. Left to cherish her memory are daughter Beverley (Barrie Currie) son David (Jacqui) three grandsons, Cameron Currie, Jeffrey Blanchard (Sharon), Robert Blanchard (Cindy) granddaughter Margaret Currie (Mark West) and three great-grandchildren, Nicholas Blanchard, Simon and Samuel West. Margaret was born in Victoria, lived in Vancouver as a young child, and later moved to Winnipeg. She attended Laura Secord and Daniel McIntyre schools and after completing business school, worked as a legal secretary in a Winnipeg law firm. From 1940 to 1945 she lived in Calgary with her young family where her husband Ted was posted with the R.C.A.F, returning to Winnipeg after the Second World War. Margaret came from a talented artistic family. Her grandfather, Samuel Hooper, was a sculptor and stone carver engaged in the monument business. He continued his studies and in 1904 became Manitobas first Provincial Architect. Her mother, Gertrude Higbee won national awards for her paintings and is known for her craftsmanship as a potter. Margaret followed her family tradition and has left a legacy of artistic works which are treasured by many people. Margaret worked with diligence and passion in everything she undertook. She studied art under W. J. Phillips in Calgary for five years and after her family was grown she attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1971. In 1980 she was invited to join the Medea Gallery and as a member she was not only respected as an artist but served on the executive as treasurer, secretary and president. She exhibited her art work in galleries in Winnipeg and Brandon and as a member of the Manitoba Society of Artists and the Winnipeg Sketch Club was entered in many shows, winning several awards. In 1987 she was represented in "Domtar Fine Paper Agenda" with five water colours and she was included in the "Women Artists of Manitoba" slide presentation for schools, which was produced by the Manitoba Government. Margaret, up until just recently held art classes in her home and delighted in teaching painting to her many students. Margaret was also a talented author and composer having a story, many verses, articles and childrens songs published in Canadian and American magazines and Canadian newspapers. She was a member of the Manitoba Writers Guild and the Canadian Childrens Book Centre. Margarets love of painting, music, sculpture and literature, influenced her many other interests including gardening, cooking, sewing and knitting. She was a wonderful cook and her sewing and knitting were artful and immaculate. Margaret had many cherished friends some of whom accompanied her on several trips abroad including an extended trip to Florence, Italy where she did postgraduate study on History of Renaissance Art. She also enjoyed a one month trip to Tours, France with her daughter Beverley, where they studied French at the University of Tours. Margaret was a longtime member of the Winnipeg Winter Club where she and Ted enjoyed square dancing and bowling, and continued swimming activity well into her 80s. Margaret loved Victoria Beach where the family had a summer cottage. She spent many hours painting and sketching scenes and birds on secluded, rocky shores, children on beaches and wild flowers. She had many articles in the Victoria Beach Herald over the years. In the last few years Margaret felt blessed with the three young women who were not only her care givers but her special friends, they added joy to her life and she loved them dearly. Margaret was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, talented though modest, sunny and ever kind. She was deeply compassionate and conveyed in her art and life a special appreciation for children and family. Our loss is deep and heartfelt. A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 8 at St. Aidans Anglican Church, 274 Campbell St. at 2:00 p.m. Flowers gratefully declined, in lieu, donations may be made to the charity of choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 07, 2003