MARY McMONAGLE (nee MARIA SCHAPANSKY)

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MARY McMONAGLE (nee MARIA SCHAPANSKY) February 7, 1919 - April 9, 2004 Surrounded by her family, Mary McMonagle passed away peacefully on Good Friday, at her home at Calvary Place, Winnipeg. She is mourned and joyfully remembered by her husband Daniel Brown McMonagle; her five children, Duncan (Verena Unger) of Winnipeg, Esme (Dawna Reid) of Toronto, Trevor (Ruth) of Campbell River, BC, Basil (Ariana) of Edmonton, AB, and Iris Smith (Terry) of Port Sydney, ON; and by her eight grandchildren, Natalie, Martin and Graham McMonagle, Ethan and Andrew McMonagle, Lindsay and Sean Smith, and Jon and Gina McMonagle. She is happily remembered too by her sisters and brothers and their families, and by the members of the West End Gospel Hall. Mary was loved and adored by her family and the many friends whose lives she touched. Unfailingly warm-heated and kind, she was famous for her hospitality and for her cooking, baking and preserves, especially her beet pickles. Mary never complained about adversity, not even when about the severe physical restrictions imposed by a stroke in 1999. She was sustained by her faith in God. Mary had 12 sisters and brothers. She was born at Rosenfeld, SK, and first attended a German school. When an English language school opened nearby she walked the mile and a half to it. During the depression, she recalled, her family received donations of clothing and blankets from the Red Cross. After leaving school early to help care for her family, Mary moved to Portage la Prairie and then to Winnipeg. She worked for several families as a household assistant, and then at Hulls Book Store. In 1949 she married Brown, who had recently immigrated from Northern Ireland. They raised their family at several Winnipeg homes surrounded by large vegetable and flower gardens. When her children were in school, Mary made many friends by baby sitting, selling Tupperware and working at Cliffords Fashion store. In 1975, Brown and Mary moved to a farm at Otterburne, MB. During the Red River Flood of 1997 they had to leave their property for two weeks. Wherever Mary was, the Christians at West End Gospel Hall remained her closest friends. Viewing will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13 at the Neil Bardal Funeral Chapel, 984 Portage Ave. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 14 at West End Gospel Hall, 492 Victor St., Winnipeg. Lunch to follow. Interment at Chapel Lawn Winnipeg. The family thanks the caring and skilled staff of Calvary Place for their devotion to Mary during her more than four years as a resident. If friends so desire, contributions to Calvary Place Personal Care Home, 1325 Erin St., Winnipeg, MB R3E 3R6 would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements conducted by: Ronald Moffit Memorial Services 1-204-856-3487

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 13, 2004