MARGARET GIESBRECHT

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MARGARET GIESBRECHT (nee FRIESEN) Born on March 23,1926 In Loving Memory Mom slipped away peacefully and went to her heavenly home in the early hours of February 17, 2016. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Shirley and Merv, Elaine and Arnold, Gord and Cathy; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister Anne and one brother Paul (Carol); along with nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Mom was predeceased by her husband Gord; her oldest son Larry; her parents Martin and Anna Friesen; three sisters, Anna in infancy, Martha and Helen. The best way to describe mom would be as a faithful loving servant, and she had a strong faith in her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Mom's world revolved around her family and she was faithful to the end in loving, praying and caring about the concerns in the family. Even in her last years as mom was struggling with vascular dementia we had the privilege to hear her pray, naming as many family as she could remember, and reminding the Lord that if He needed help, He could count on her. Mom also loved her various jobs. She worked as a healthcare aid in the operating room, nursing homes as well as in her later years working with home care until the age of 71, when she actually retired! Mom was known for her awesome cooking and baking skills, especially her amazing cheesecake that she made while working in the kitchen at Woolco. Mom's ability to cook and bake began when she was a young girl at home, and this lead her to employment as a cook in the lumber camps in Ontario back in the late 40s. She would often tell the grandchildren of those days in the camps. Mom was an avid gardener, particularly flowers, roses being her forever favourite, but carnations last longer so her instructions to us when we brought flowers get carnations but roses are very nice! Mom also loved to sew and had a real gift for it. Making fancy dresses for little girls was her favourite and later in years she made sure that each grandchild and great-grandchild had warm pyjamas for Christmas. In the midst of her busy schedule she found the time to volunteer and her home was always open for guests of every sort and kind. She loved opening her door to missionaries and as young children we reaped the benefits of that. Hospitality was simply the way she did life. As the years past, mom's health began to deteriorate and in 2010 she suffered two strokes and a heart attack. These medical conditions required major changes in her care and living arrangements and she graciously accepted this fact, because she realized she could no longer take complete care of herself. She took up residence at Poseidon Care Centre. For the past five years mom made many friends with staff, residents and their families. She loved all and was loved by all and with her servant heart found many ways to keep herself and others busy. On the light side she felt that she had the qualifications to be the supervisor of the building and she felt the benefit to her was her rent would be reduced! She also finally realized that taking stat holidays might be a really good idea. Mom was also very industrious during these five years. She loved embroidery and so she embroidered many, many sets of pillow cases and then began selling them to staff and residents and gave many more away than she sold. She even kept track of her sales! In August of 2015, mom's health took another downward turn. Her present medical treatment seemed not to be meeting her ongoing deterioration. Through all of this she continued to press forward although she no longer had the energy to keep the same pace. On February 11, a decision was made to have some further testing done hoping that this knowledge would provide her with a treatment plan that would serve her well. Her plan to return back to her beloved home never happened. Mom endured a massive stroke and other serious medical complications and her last week with us was very difficult for everyone involved. Her last audible phrase to us on February 12, was simply "Jesus please take me to the other side." Her prayer was granted to her at 5:52 a.m., Wednesday, February 17. Mom you will be missed more than words can express. We want to express our deepest thanks to the wonderful staff at Poseidon Care Centre as they gave so much love and care to mom. She loved you all so very much! Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, February 24, at 11:00 a.m. at Fort Garry EMC Church, 602 Pasadena Ave with viewing one-half hour prior to service. Pastor Len Harms will be officiating. Interment will follow at Mennonite Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 20, 2016