MARGARET REDSTON (FINLAY) -

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MARGARET REDSTON (FINLAY) 1934 - 2004 After a valiant battle with cancer, during which her weapon of choice was often sly humour, Margaret died Saturday, July 10, 2004, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Margs fighting spirit had a firm grip on life until the very end - always finding a way to communicate as we reminisced, read aloud and shared laughs. Marg is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband John; her daughters, Elizabeth (James Gamble), Nancy (Gordon Sumner) and Jennifer (Dan Davies) and her precious flock of grandchildren - Adam, Mallory, Allyson, Eric, David, Jonathan, Katie, Maggie and Olivia. She is survived by her siblings, Malcolm Finlay (Chichester, England) and Sheila Rogers (Kingston, ON). Margaret had the good fortune of marrying her best friends little brother (and celebrating their recent 45th anniversary at a wonderfully large yet intimate party). Johns siblings, Sheila Mahood (Kingston, ON), Peter Redston (Connecticut) and Marcia Barr (New Mexico) were Margs beloved second family. Although always humble about her skills as an artist, Margs watercolours and raku pottery warm the homes of her appreciative daughters. Margs eye for colour and her love of nature took hold in a wonderful garden where her standard poodle, Kia, continues to rule all he surveys. Margs compassionate spirit and her detail-oriented, systematic brain, served her well in a rewarding healthcare career. She graduated in nursing from Kingston General Hospital with first prize in anatomy and trained in public health at the University of Toronto. Marg worked in community health for a short time in New Brunswick before she and John put down roots in Winnipeg. After a hiatus to have children, Marg rejoined the workforce with the Victoria Order of Nurses and later served in Manitobas Health Department until her retirement in 1997 as Acting Executive Director of the Long Term Care. Her long-term focus also extended to the many friendships she cultivated and valued so dearly throughout her life. She was a strong advocate of volunteerism and drew energy from the many committees she served on, her favourite focus and community being the Unitarian Church. Margs family is eternally grateful to the extraordinary care and compassion of Dr. Roland Hayward. Margaret always looked forward to his daily 5:00 a.m. hospital visits (including Christmas Day). Thanks also to the Victoria General Hospital Oncology Unit and fourth floor nursing staff. A celebration of Margarets life will take place Thursday, July 22 at the Unitarian Church, 603 Wellington Cres. at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Margaret requested donations be made to the Unitarian Church Building Fund, 603 Wellington Cres., Winnipeg, MB R3M 0A7 or the Victoria Hospital Capital Campaign, 2340 Pembina Hwy., Winnipeg, MB R3T 2E8. Condolences may be emailed to condolences@nbardal.mb.ca. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2004