MARGARET IDA EYERS 1921-2013

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MARGARET IDA EYERS 1921-2013 Peacefully, with her family by her side, Margaret Eyers passed away on August 23, 2013. Margaret will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Lynda Boxall (Jim) and Myrna Ciglar (Rudy); son Jack (Verna); grandchildren, Bryan, Ardith Boxall, Janet, Tricia, Kari Ciglar, Kimberley, Jaimie, Julie Eyers; great-grandchildren, Brandon, Connor, Emily, Ben, Ava and Anderson. Margaret is also survived by many special nieces and nephews, and brother-in-law Harvey Eyers. Margaret was predeceased by her parents William and Alice Smith, brothers Billy and Jack, youngest son Wayne and her husband of 56 years Edwin. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Margaret moved with her family to Manitoba after her father's death. Her life was one of giving generously of her time and at just 18, she went to work at Eaton's mail order where she worked until Eaton's ended the mail order side of their business. It was there that she met a group of young women who decided they would get together and not only write letters to the "boys" overseas but they knit socks, and mitts and scarves to send to them. Margaret had many pen pals to her credit. She met and married Ed at this time and together they raised their four children in the Fort Rouge area. As a young mother Margaret taught Sunday school and once her children were all off to school she began to involve herself with making her community a better place to live. She was President of the Lord Roberts Community Club's Ladies Auxiliary for over ten years, working with both youth and seniors and bringing the organization back to being a vital part of the community. From there, she saw a need for organized seniors activities in Fort Rouge. Along with city councilman Don Gerrie and with the help of the Honorable Lloyd Axworthy M.P., Margaret received the necessary funding and the allotted space in the Fort Rouge Leisure Centre to start the Golden Rule Seniors. She became President of the club and together with Ed, worked tirelessly for over 25 years to make their group successful. Margaret was awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation in December of 1992. This honour was in recognition of persons who had made a significant contribution to Canada, to their community and to their fellow Canadians. In 2004, Margaret was presented with a plaque by the Manitoba Council on Aging at the Legislature in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the seniors of Manitoba. Margaret and the Golden Rule Seniors club were responsible for the planning and building of two seniors housing complexes on South Osborne Street which are a tribute to her tireless efforts in the community. She was a woman who always recognized a need and went about attending to it whether it was in her home or her community. Margaret was not only an accomplished homemaker, and seamstress, she always had a knitting project on the go. On Margaret and Ed's 50th wedding anniversary, they were honoured by the attendance of the honourable Lloyd Axworthy M.P and Mayor Glen Murray presenting them with special messages from their respective government offices. Margaret and the Golden Rule Seniors raised large donations for Variety through their annual Variety luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Variety the Children's Charity of Manitoba, 2-1313 Border Street, Winnipeg, MB. R3H 0X4. The family would like to thank the very kind and gentle nursing staff of Grunthal's Menno Home who took such wonderful care of our mother over the last three years. At Margaret's request, there was a family service and private interment on Friday, August 30 at Chapel Lawn. For those who wish to sign the online Guest Book please visit our website. www.chapellawn.ca 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 31, 2013