MARGARET PATRICIA SMITH

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MARGARET PATRICIA SMITH Margaret Patricia Smith, aged 93 years, passed away on September 18, 2013, with family by her side. Born December 15, 1919, in Red Deer, Alberta, Margaret was raised on a farm near Endiang, Alberta. Her family moved to Red Deer in 1937. Those years of the Great Depression left an indelible impression on Margaret. Margaret graduated with pride as a registered nurse at Royal Alexander Hospital in Edmonton in 1943. During her three years in residence she made lifelong friends. No one suspected that quiet "Hughesie" was behind many of those practical jokes. She loved to attend their subsequent reunions; the Yukon get-together was a particular favourite. In 1944 Margaret met Charles Smith, a patient under her charge. In 1945 they married. This gave Margaret an instant family, as Charles had been a widower with three children: Charles (Chuck), Roger and Patricia, and then daughter Valerie arrived. In 1949 Charles' career with CN Rail took them to Winnipeg. The birth of Gavin and Gregory completed the family. Nursing set aside, Margaret devoted herself to her family. In summer, they moved to the cottage at Sandy Hook for fun at the beach, card games, golf, barbecues, bonfires, Bomber games on the radio, rain on the roof, wonderful neighbours it was all good. As empty nesters Margaret and Charlie enjoyed golfing various courses in the province and travelling to visit children and grandchildren elsewhere in Canada and the USA. She joined the Philharmonica Orchestra, a writers club, and she delivered for Meals on Wheels for over 30 years. In the summer Margaret lawn bowled at River Heights; in winter she carpet bowled at St. Aidans Church where she was a longtime member. Knitting and needlework kept her busy as she watched her sports on TV. Margaret was predeceased by her parents Norman and Nora Hughes and her sister, Diana Hughes; by Charles in 1992; sons Chuck in 1977 and Roger in 1999; and great-granddaughters Kira in 2000 and Amy Monaghan and their father Doug Monaghan in 2007. Margaret is survived by daughters-in-law May and Cheryl Smith; daughters Pat Lede (Herb) and Valerie Tremble (Wayne) and sons Gavin Smith (Barbara) and Greg Smith (Janis). Margaret had thirteen grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren. Following a stay at Victoria Hospital, Margaret resided at the Convalescent Home of Winnipeg where she received professional support and care in a thoughtful, safe and loving environment. Our family is grateful for the day to day quality treatment our Margaret received. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, at St. Aidans Anglican Church, 274 Campbell Street, River Heights. A private family interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the The Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, 276 Hugo Street North, Winnipeg, MB, R3M 2N6, 204-453-4663 and to the Kira and Amy Monaghan Memorial Foundation, Calgary Health Trust, Suite 800, 11012 MacLeod Trail SE, Calgary, AB, T2J 6A5, 403-943-0615 or to Meals on Wheels of Winnipeg, 174 Hargrave Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3N2, 204-956-7711. 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 Sep 28, 2013