MARGARET GUDRUN HAUCH

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MARGARET GUDRUN HAUCH 192 - 2016 Margaret's family is deeply saddened to announce her passing the morning of August 18, 2016. Margaret was an extraordinary woman who touched innumerable people with her wisdom, curiosity and endless caring. She was loved and respected by everyone who had the fortune to be a part of her life. Margaret was born in 1921 into a large family in Winnipeg where she lived the majority of her life. Following schooling and brief employment, towards the end of the Second World War she travelled across the country to a remote work camp in Alberta east of Fort St. John, BC where she married her love, Gordon Hauch, and started her family. Not long afterward she relocated to the community of Norway House in Manitoba and after a period of years resettled in Winnipeg where her third was born. Margaret was above all a mother and Amma. But as a thinking woman of great character, her definition of those roles extended well into a larger community. As a young mother she was an activist who felt a strong responsibility to be politically aware and involved. Early in the 1960s she was an active member of the Voice of Women and at various times worked for the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Friendship Centres, and wrote on urban poverty. At different points over the years she worked extensively on campaigns for all three major political parties in Winnipeg. Margaret was the first person we knew who used the words "feminism", "multi-culturalism" and "health food" (on the last score she read extensively and introduced her children to the oddest foods purchased at obscure groceries in Winnipeg). She was both timeless and contemporary in her principles and perspectives of the world. And her interests and curiosity were endless. She loved art of all description, classical music and contemporary jazz, political commentary and great literature which she read voraciously. Margaret had a palpable power in her presence and was never harsh in her words or actions. She listened to, was fascinated by and cared for everyone she met. She was especially concerned about the younger people in her life whom she supported by listening, drawing out their true aspirations and encouraging them along the natural paths of their lives. People were drawn to her and felt supported. She was always throughout her life a source of important counsel to her family and friends and, towards the end of her independent life, was solidly the neighbourhood family therapist. We will all miss her very much. Margaret is survived by her sister Jean Falconer; three children, Jean, Eric (Harriet) and Chris (Doreen); six grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Karen Moran De Muller for her exceptional care as well as all the people at the Thorvaldson Care Centre and Tuxedo Villa in Winnipeg. A celebration will be held in Vancouver at a date and venue to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your charity of choice. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 27, 2016