MARGARET DENISE PAUL

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MARGARET DENISE PAUL

(nee JOHNSTON)

September 18, 1944 – May 23, 2024

With sadness we announce the passing of our dearly loved wife and mother, Margaret Denise Paul (nee Johnston) on May 23, 2024, who died at home, surrounded by her family.

She leaves behind her husband of 52 years, Ian, her children, James (Christina), Colin, and Susan (Todd; sons, Jackson and Duncan), siblings, Elizabeth, Dorothy (David), and James (Pamela), nephews, Patrick and Allen, and a clutch of grandchildren: Charles, Kate, Jillian, Brock, Luke, and Dean. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Eleanor Maud, and her sister Eleanor.

Born in Ireland, Margaret grew up in Rathfarnham, Dublin, where she attended Alexandra College, and began her working life at the Ulster Bank. She met her future husband Ian and married in 1971 before heading to Canada in 1973 for new adventures and more opportunities. In Winnipeg, she continued her career in banking, where she made lifelong friends. Blessedly, they welcomed three children: James, Colin, and Susan. Eventually, Margaret was thrilled to be a devoted, helpful, indulgent, and loving granny to six grandchildren. Throughout her illness the devotion of her husband and children, plus the joy of her grandchildren, sustained her.

Five years after arriving in Canada, Margaret and Ian bought a small cottage on Deception Lake, which would be a source of many years of happy memories, and a place for her children and grandchildren to explore. Again, lifelong friends were made, and in their retirement Margaret and Ian used the cottage as both a summer and winter retreat.

In Winnipeg, Margaret and Ian held extended family gatherings with her brother James (who immigrated to Canada shortly after Margaret) and his family. Despite the geographical distance, Margaret enjoyed many visits with her Irish family. Her children remember annual travels to Granny and Grandpa in Dublin, and to this day, the family remains closely connected to Margaret’s two sisters and brother-in-law in Oxford, England. Margaret took great strength in her siblings’ support - in times both joyful and difficult.

Margaret and Ian found their community and spiritual home in Bethel Mennonite Church, where they found many dear friends; Margaret ushered at Sunday services, visited residents of Bethel Place, and worked in the MCC Thrift Shop.

Margaret was a joy to be with and was up to date on topics including SNL skits, all things royal, how to grow tomatoes, and which opera was streaming from the Met. She cared deeply about her friends and family and could always be counted on for support.

We thank her caregivers, Hermie, Angel and Cherry, who so kindly looked after Margaret in the final months of her life, and the WRHA Palliative Care Program which provided care and support to Margaret and her family. We thank Dr. D. Houston for his care, and Pamela for her support. The children acknowledge the love, patience, and tenderness with which they watched their father care for their mother, allowing her to remain at home.

A funeral will take place Friday, June 7, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., at Bethel Mennonite Church, 465 Stafford Street, Winnipeg, along with a live stream option (available via Friends Funeral Service: www.friendsfs.ca). A private committal with family will have taken place prior.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba.

In care of arrangements

Tributes: friendsfs.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 01, 2024, Jun 01, 2024