MARY LOUISE BARAGAR

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARY LOUISE BARAGAR May 7, 1931 - August 31, 2014 Mary Louise Baragar (nee Bell) passed away on Sunday August 31, 2014 at Victoria General Hospital, Winnipeg, Canada. She was predeceased by her father Frederich Grigull, her mother Anastasia Bell (nee Schielke), her stepfather, George Bell and her sister Beverley Martin (nee Bell). She is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband, Fletcher Drury Baragar, her children Fletcher David (Delia), Anne (Frances), Ian (Valdine), Heather and Alan (Jane), and her grandchildren Daniel, Emily, George, Soffia, Ingrid, Brigitte, Signy, Jennie, Matthew and Fletcher Bryce. Mary Louise was born in Winnipeg on May 7, 1931. Her early childhood years were spent in Winnipeg and on the Shielke farm near Steinbach, Manitoba. After her mother's marriage to George Bell, the family established themselves in Winnipeg's Fort Rouge neighbourhood. Mary Louise attended primary and secondary school in the city, graduating from Kelvin High School in 1948. Nursing was her choice as a profession. She received her formal training at the Winnipeg General Hospital and graduated as a RN in 1952. As a practising RN, Mary Louise stayed on at the General, rising to the position of Head Nurse of C Ward. It was as a nursing student that she met Fletcher, a young medical student. The attractive couple were married in the Chapel at United College on May 29, 1953. Their first child arrived two years later, and by the end of 1963, Mary Louise was the mother of five. Marriage and raising the family precipitated a withdrawal from the nursing profession, although she often had occasion to utilize her training and apply that experience. After their second child, the family spent two years in Edinburgh, Scotland as Fletcher pursued specialist training in medicine. Upon their return to Winnipeg, the growing family purchased a new home on Waterford Bay in Fort Garry, where they resided for 23 years. In the 1980s, Mary Louise and Fletcher began looking for different accommodations that would better suit their changing needs. Strong preferences with respect to both aesthetics and physical practicality led her to take an active role in the design of a new house. A suitable lot was acquired in the newly developing neighbourhood of Lindenwoods. They moved into their new home in 1984. Mary Louise had always enjoyed the outdoors. Her early years on the farm were instrumental here, but so were the summers she spent as a schoolgirl at Sioux Lookout. Fletcher's family already had a cabin at Florence Lake (Winnitoba) in the Whiteshell Provincial Park. The newlyweds loved Winnitoba. They spent their honeymoon there, and then arranged to build their own cabin. From 1960 onwards, Mary Louise would spend virtually every summer (and many off-season weekends) at the lake, raising the family, swimming, fishing, canoeing, berry-picking, chasing away bears and enjoying the sociability and friendship of that special community. During the winter months, she enjoyed getting out on skis or snowshoes. Curling was another keen interest. She was a regular curler at the Wildwood Club for many years, and loved watching the televised matches of major competitions, especially those involving a Manitoba foursome. Also prominent among her extensive interests were a love and appreciation of the arts. Music was a life-long love. She learned to play piano as a child and there was always a piano (sometimes two) in the house and even at the summer cabin. She was a longstanding supporter of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and the Manitoba Opera. The visual arts were a special love. She enjoyed photography and had a perceptive eye for beauty and arresting images, especially those involving flora and landscapes. In the 1960s, Mary Louise somehow found the time to take up painting, initially working primarily in oils, but later preferring watercolors. She was an active member of the Charleswood Art Group and the Fort Garry Palette Club. The walls of the family home, as well as those of family and friends, bear witness to her artistry. Most important to Mary Louise were her friends and family. She was generous with her time and would willingly do whatever she could for others. The family home and cottage were open and all were welcome. Sunday dinners were a virtual institution and guests were frequent. Mary Louise never forgot a birthday and celebrations followed one after another. She had an amazing ability to stay informed about the myriad activities of everyone in the family and was the "go to" source for family news and information. She was especially proud of each of her 10 grandchildren, and loved them deeply. A memorial service and celebration of Mary Louise's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Ave, Winnipeg, MB. A memorial service and celebration of Mary Louise's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Mary Louise to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Sep 6, 2014

MARY LOUISE BARAGAR On Sunday, August 31, 2014 at the Victoria Hospital, Mary Louise Baragar, passed away at the age of 83 years. A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Neil Bardal Funeral Centre, 3030 Notre Dame Avenue (across from Brookside Cemetery) Longer obituary will follow Saturday. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com
Publish Date: Sep 3, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 06, 2014