- The Carillon Passages
- All Titles
Search:
Notices are posted by 10 am Monday through Saturday
MARITA WATSON
Born: Apr 28, 1939
Date of Passing: Sep 05, 2018
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARITA WATSON On Wednesday, September 5, 2018, Marita Watson died peacefully and on her own terms with a medically assisted death at Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Family and friends were present to help her "shuffle off this mortal coil". Marita was born on April 28, 1939 and became the elder of two chosen daughters of Christian and Hughena (nee Beggs) Watson. She grew up on the family mink ranch and farm at the corner of Garven and Birds Hill Road, north of the village of Birds Hill. Her education began in local schools and she went on to studies at United College and the University of Manitoba. Marita obtained undergraduate degrees in Arts (English Major) and Education and graduate degrees in Education. She taught high school English at Miles Macdonell and River East Collegiate. She also did instructional and curriculum work at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba and the Curriculum Branch of the Manitoba Department of Education. Former students will have known her as Ms. Watson or Mrs. Grieve. Predeceased by her parents and several uncles and aunts, Marita is survived by her sister Carol Harris; niece Shawna and Carol's partner Wes Polisnook; several cousins and their families; along with her dear friend Geri (nee Niemczyk) Spencer - a friendship that has continued without interruption since they were in grade 1 together. Marita was a formidable bridge player (both contract and duplicate), an avid reader and an excellent cook and hostess. She loved to arrange gatherings involving food, wine, bridge and literary discussions. She amassed a huge circle of friends with whom she maintained contact even through these last few years of health problems and these last few months of struggles with type two diabetes and cancer. Marita determined that her body would be cremated and that there would be no formal funeral service. She hopes that friends will gather to reminisce and enjoy good conversation, food and drink. She has asked that her remains be scattered near a clump of birch trees. Thanks are extended to health care professionals in St. Boniface, Deer Lodge and Concordia Hospitals, to Doctors Jason Park and Randy Guzman, to the staff and residents at Manoir de Cathedrale where she enjoyed several months in a supported living environment, to the compassionate and caring support offered by the M.A.I.D. team and to the host of friends who have provided her with support and comfort. If friends so desire, please plant a birch tree in memory of Marita.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 08, 2018
Condolences & Memories (4 entries)
-
Marita Grieve was my high school English teacher at Miles Macdonell in the early ‘70s. I’ll never forget how she introduced us to the poetry of Leonard Cohen - NOT in the official curriculum at that point! - and how excited she was to share with us the beauty of his words. I also remember her as a bit of a rebel, and I expect she must have butted heads with the administration from time to time. Her passion for the written word and her vibrant spirit played an important role in shaping the person I’ve become, and I’m so sorry I never got the chance to thank her while she was still with us. - Posted by: Heather Kennedy (Student, Miles Macdonell Collegiate ) on: Jan 20, 2019
-
I had Marita as my high school English teacher many moons ago. She was wonderful! One day, I had dyed my brown hair with Clairol's Sparkling Sherry and as she was walking up and down the aisles in our class, Marita bent down to me and whispered that she loved my hair and what colour was it? I told her and then she appeared the next day with the most screaming awful colour! She had blonde hair at that time, so obviously it would look different on her! But she hadn't taken that into consideration. It was a few days before she appeared to look presentable once again. I felt bad, almost as though it was my fault, but looking back on it, it was a good memory. She was a fantastic teacher, one of my favourites of all time, and I got to tell her that, many years later. I was fortunate to have known her for a very short time. Only good memories! - Posted by: Marilyn Pantermoller (Former student) on: Sep 09, 2018
-
Everybody has that one teacher that makes a difference in his or her life and Ms. Watson was mine. I have gone on to write more stories than I can count all because she showed tremendous interest in my abilities during a time I felt worthless - her kindness a debt I could never begin to repay. I hope she and her family and friends are at (or will find) peace. - Posted by: Kurt (former student) on: Sep 08, 2018
-
I was priviledged to not only have Marita as a teacher but to also teach along side her at Miles Macdonnel Collegiate. She was one engaging and humorous lady with a sunshine smile. You will me missed by a lot of people, Marita. Rest well. - Posted by: Shirley Dudeck (Friend and colleague) on: Sep 08, 2018
