Obituary of Margaret Gordon

Margaret Wilson Gordon of Lloydminster, Alberta passed away in the Lloydminster Hospital on Sunday, October 4, 2009 at the age of 94 years. She leaves to celebrate her life a large group of nieces and nephews and their families: Beth Pike and her husband Gary of Millarville, Alberta and their children: Dallas Pike, his wife Katie and son Mason, Quintin Pike, his wife Cara Varzari and daughter Kya, and Kelly Midwood, her husband Collin and children Denlin and Jorynn; Donna Gordon of Edmonton; Hazel and David Simons of Lloydminster; Joan and Dale Fischer of Lloydminster; Gordon and Barb Welch of Lashburn; Marvin and Helen Welch of Nanoose Bay, B.C.; Allan and Wanda Welch of Camrose; Carol and Roger Mitchell of Kent, England; Moira Campbell of Lloydminster; Margie Deane of Princeton, B.C.; Murray and Elaine Gordon of North Vancouver, B.C.; Beryle and Bill Koenig of Palm Desert, California. There are also many great nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and even a few great-great-great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, James and Mary Gordon, her three brothers John, Jim (Gladys) and Donald (Bessie) and three sisters Maisie, Aggie (Russell) and Elsie (John); and also nieces Burdine Lane, Linda Welch and Donalda Copley; nephews Michael Welch, Allen Walker and Barry Gordon; and nephews-in-law Bob Deane and Tom Campbell. Other family members celebrating her life are: Fred Lane of Edmonton. Don Copley of Salmon Arm, B.C.; Joyce Walker of Maple Ridge, B.C.; Fran Gordon of Coquitlam, B.C. And there are her many friends in the Anglican Church community, and at Hallsholme where she lived for 29 years, and all the people who called her Aunt Margaret even though she was not actually related to them! The celebration of her life and funeral service was conducted on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at the St. John's Anglican Church in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan with Reverend Chuck Mortimer and Reverend Michael Stonhouse officiating. The hymns sung were "All Things Bright & Beautiful", "Unto The Hills" and "Morning Has Broken" accompanied on the organ by Pat Skinner. The piper was Margaret Swanstrom. The honorary pallbearers were All Her Family & Friends. Interment took place in the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.EULOGY FOR AUNT MARGARET Presented by Quintin Pike Everybody should have an Aunt Margaret. Those of us who did, know exactly what that means - somebody who would do everything she could for you, and would love you no matter what. Some people might say that Aunt Margaret had a hard life, but we don't think she thought of it that way. She could always see the good side of things. As a matter of fact we can only think of two things she didn't like - cranberry sauce and Glenn Weir calling her "Maggie"! She faced challenges bravely, with dignity. She always saw the humorous side - a good thing where some members of the family are concerned! Often there would be a twinkle in her eye with a coy little smile. Aunt Margaret had a wonderful memory for everything that happened which she could recall, in detail. Just recently, after hearing her describe something I had done when I was little, I replied, "That's the trouble, Aunt Margaret - you remember too much!" LIFE: The family emigrated from Scotland in 1906 and settled near Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan. Aunt Margaret was born at home and was the sixth child of seven; sisters - Aggie, Maisie and Elsie and brothers - Jim, John and Donald. Sadly, Maisie died from pneumonia at 12 and John drowned when he was 18. The five remaining siblings were very close. Aunt Margaret went to several schools in the area. She enjoyed dances at the schoolhouse and the Christmas concerts. During the Great Depression she worked for others including the stationmaster and the minister's family. She also worked in the hospital. Although it was hard work, cleaning, cooking and even helping in the operating room, without running water and electricity at night, she enjoyed it and still remembered the patients and babies born there. After her father died in 1943, she moved to Lloydminster, where sister Aggie and brother Donald's families lived. Aunt Margaret worked at Jack Steven's and Jackie's dress shops and at Leed's Ladies and Mens Wear. She was very good at helping others find something that suited them in colour and style. She always looked very smart, and even lately, when not feeling well, she was well dressed. She retired in 1979 and moved into Hallsholme, where she lived until April of 2009, when she went into the Pioneer Lodge. FAMILY: Family was very important to Aunt Margaret. She loved family get-togethers, reunions, weddings, July long weekends at Sandy Beach and her birthday celebrations. She delighted in each new niece and nephew, great-niece and -nephew, great-great-niece and -nephew and even some great-great-greats! And she was a very special Aunt to each one. Many, although not related also called her "Aunt Margaret" - some hard pressed to think of her last name. She loved celebrating Christmas. Although, when working, she had little time to shop - every gift was chosen with care. She always wrapped her gifts in white tissue paper; ribbons and bows, and decorations from last year's Christmas cards - they looked so elegant - almost too pretty to open! Almost!! She made cookies and fudge - cut into little decorated squares that she packed carefully in boxes.Aunt Margaret taught me how to make the Christmas cheese ball and we enjoyed making this together for many years. The cheese ball this year will be lacking her special touch. She made tree decorations - snowmen with little knitted scarves, and tiny knitted Christmas stockings. Every year she would be so eager for Christmas morning that she would have trouble falling asleep on Christmas Eve! FAITH: Aunt Margaret attended Sunday service faithfully. She helped at the church whenever possible and was a member of the Altar Guild and the Women's Auxiliary. In 2006 she received a life membership in the ACW. Who can count the hundreds of pies she made for the church suppers and other events?! Presented by Dallas Pike OUTDOORS: Aunt Margaret enjoyed the outdoors and until a few years ago, walked every day. If it was too cold she would go up and down the 6 flights of stairs. For years she led the exercise group at Hallsholme. On Sundays she would walk to church, at a good pace - you were hard pressed to keep up! She enjoyed drives in the country and walks with Hazel sighting wild tiger lilies and prairie roses. When she went out to BC to visit relatives, they hiked in the summer and cross-country skied in the winter. Her favourite place to go was Machete Lake with the Copleys and Perdues, where she enjoyed the tranquility, the wild life and gathering wild flowers to press to make cards. TRAVEL: She loved to travel and could pack her suitcase in 15 minutes. She enjoyed camping trips to Manitoba and BC with the Copleys and the Campbells. There were 'ladies' spring weekends with Mom and Auntie Donna - to Kananaskis, Jasper and Banff. She travelled to Scotland 3 times, a side trip to Paris and one year a European tour. She enjoyed everything. She always remembered the funny things that happened and even could recall the meals - such as a dessert years ago at Kananaskis that was a little canoe complete with an oar - made from chocolate! On a trip with Dad, Mom and Auntie Donna - nearing Banff, Dad learned she hadn't been to the Banff Springs Hotel - off they went where she delighted in the decor, the staff wearing kilts and the great view. SEWING AND COOKING: In earlier years she did beautiful embroidery work and sewed dresses and suits using her mother's hand - cranked sewing machine. She made wonderful cheese biscuits for the potluck suppers at Hallsholme. And delicious pies - banana cream (Quintin's favorite) and lemon meringue. Aunt Margaret made and decorated wedding and anniversary cakes with meticulous care for family and friends. Later she crocheted countless afghans for all occasions and dishcloths you often found tucked into a birthday or Christmas gift. GAMES: She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, playing Yahtzee and especially Scrabble. Once Mom and Auntie Donna and Aunt Margaret went out to the cabin at Sandy Beach for a spring weekend. The weather was cold, so they stayed inside and started a Scrabble tournament that lasted so long a neighbour came to see if everyone was all right as he hadn't seen anyone outside all day! DANCING: Aunt Margaret always enjoyed going to dances - from those early years at neighbour's homes up into her nineties at Hallsholme. Mom still smiles remembering the sight of her teaching us the chicken dance. At family weddings she was thrilled when the groom took her for a dance - which gave him her "seal of approval"! Doreen Plant visited Aunt Margaret in hospital hours before she left us and she fondly recalled Alice and Gordon Blake teaching her "Waltzing through Texas" that she thought was so pretty. WHAT AUNT MARGARET MEANT TO US: Everyone always remarked that she seemed timeless - aging very little over the last decades and never losing her love for life. Aunt Margaret was an amazing person and it was a privilege to know her and to be related to her. We, her family and friends, are so much richer because she has been part of our lives. POEM She whom we loved is out of sight But never out of mind. She is cherished in the hearts Of those she leaves behind. Loving and kind in all her ways, Steadfast in faith in all her days. Sincere and true in heart and mind, Beautiful memories she leaves behind. CARD OF THANKS The family of Margaret Gordon wish to express their sincere appreciation to family and friends who called, visited, sent flowers, food, cards, and donations. Many thanks to the 3rd floor nursing staff, Home Care aids and nurses for their compassionate care that Aunt Margaret and her family appreciated immensely. Thank you to everyone who made Aunt Margaret's Celebration of Life special: Rev. Stonhouse and Rev. Mortimer, piper Margaret Swanstrom for music at the graveside and the church service which meant so much to the family, Pat Skinner and the Anglican Church choir for the beautiful music, Dallas and Quintin Pike who gave the eulogy and the Anglican Church ladies for the luncheon. Thank you to all her friends at Hallsholme, which for the past 29 years was home to her. To Dale McCaw, Carol and Amanda, many thanks for your assistance and kindness. We were blessed to have such a special person in our lives and we thank everyone for their kind words and for sharing special memories. Donations in memory of Margaret may be made to the Anglican A.C.W or to a charity of the donors choice.