Obituary of Marguerite McEwen

BIOGRAPHY MCEWEN ~ Marguerite Catherine McEwen passed away peacefully at the Dr. Cooke Extended Care Centre, Lloydminster, Alberta on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at the age of 92 years. Marguerite will be sadly missed by: her children: Doreen and Bob McIntyre of Vermilion, Jean and Glenn Broadhead of Estavan, Allan and Ann McEwen of Lloydminster, Oliver and Judy McEwen of Dugald, Manitoba, Mavis Harwood of Lloydminster, Kenneth and Rene McEwen of Battleford; two daughters-in-law: Gail McEwen of Lloydminster and Janice Williams of Red Deer; twenty two grandchildren, forty four great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren; two brothers: Harvey and Mavis Dustow of Edmonton, Herb and Zella Dustow of Lloydminster; one sister Elsie Broadhead of Edmonton as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Marguerite was predeceased by: her parents Oliver and Florestine Dustow; husband Russell McEwen; her second husband Pete Mann; one son Bill McEwen, one great grandson Robert Roth; four brothers: Wilfred, Reg, Tom and John Dustow as well as one sister Jean Dewar. The funeral service for Marguerite was conducted from the Knox Presbyterian Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Allan Young officiating. A eulogy was given by her grandchildren: Lisa McEwen Spence and Terry Lyen Monteith. The solos were "Amazing Grace" and "One Day At A Time" sung by Yvette Barnett. The hymns sung were "The Old Rugged Cross" and "All Things Bright And Beautiful" accompanied on the organ by Jeanette Young. Honorary pallbearers were All Of Marguerite's Friends. Active pallbearers were grandchildren: Monti McEwen, Marti McEwen, Wade McEwen, Kelly McEwen, John McIntyre, Darren McEwen, Derek McEwen, Dallas Harwood and Donna Birdsell. Interment was held at the Lloydminster City Cemetery. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. EULOGY Marguerite Catherine McEwen was born to Oliver and Florestine Dustow on September 10, 1916 in Lloydminster. She was the eldest of 9 children. Grandma took her schooling at Blackrock School except for one year that she attended school in Ontario. After her schooling, Grandma went to work on a farm for Andrew Plitz as a hired cook and housekeeper. It was there she met Russell McEwen. They were married in February 1937. Together they raised 7 children. In the years that followed, they moved several times until settling on the home quarter around 1947. Grandma ran the post office for the Hewitt Landing area for several years as she and Grandpa worked together side by side until his passing in January of 1967. A year later Grandma married an old friend, Pete Mann. Being very set in their own ways, they decided to remain friends instead of husband and wife. Her hospitality started early when she took her former boss and elderly neighbor Andrew Plitz and also Norman Weindendorf into her home to care for them when they no longer could care for themselves. Grandma was no stranger to hard work whether it be cooking for the thrashing crew, or milking cows to fill there quota. Grandma continued to milk cows and separate cream long after the creamery was closed. There are so many memories of Grandma that we want to share with you. Some of her favorite pass times were gardening, bowling, dancing, curling, community involvement and of course chuckwagon races. She also enjoyed a trip to Spain, Hawaii, a cruise to Alaska and visited friends in Ontario in her later years of life. Grandma was a very active person either walking or going for a drive, even just around the block to check up on everyone. Grandma loved berry picking. We can remember picking berries as children with Grandma whether we wanted to or not. Of course Grandma had to find the perfect patch and we couldn't leave until every bush was picked and our pails were full. Mavis tells the story of the time when Grandma took her and Kenny to pick berries with her and they were fighting in the back of the truck and she ran off the road into the ditch, spilling her berries. They didn't know what she was more upset about, the berries spilling or hitting the ditch, but it definitely was their fault. Another love of Grandma's was garage sales, dollar days and auction sales. She would get up early Saturday morning and map out the sales she was going to; to make sure she hit them all. She would come home with enough treasures or junk, depending on how you looked at it, for her own garage sale next year. Grandma looked forward to Halloween every year. Most Grandchildren would look forward to going to their Grandma's for Halloween treats but ours came with a price. We always saved her place for last hoping she played her new trick on some other poor neighbor's kid. But we were never that lucky, Grandma had the stamina to wait us out. We always fought who would be the first to lead the way because we never knew where Grandma was going to jump out at us. She took great pleasure in hearing us scream and run for our mommy's. But she always made up for it with treats. Everyone was welcome at Grandma's house, for morning or afternoon coffee or just snacks in between, always hoping she had just made a batch of her famous buns or cream puffs, but we always knew there would be baking of some sort on the table. Because of this, her grandkids had a well beaten path across the little pasture. Family was important to Grandma and her kitchen window was her bird's eye view of the happenings on the farm. She could tell you how fast you were driving when you came over the big hill, even though it was a mile away, or see you smoking behind the chicken coop or barn. As grandkids we didn't get away with much or Grandma would line us up and get out the switch. But she must have mellowed in later years as some of the great grandchildren were allowed to play hockey in her kitchen and Grandma would join in. They also talk about the times Great Grandma would play hide and go seek tag with them. She could not catch them so she would use a plastic golf club to tag them. I know all of you have so many memories of Grandma. Thank you for letting us share a few of ours. Grandma will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who she loved so much. We have all been so blessed to have Grandma in our lives for such a long time. We love you Grandma and we won't say goodbye, just so long for now till we meet again. CARD OF THANKS The family of Marguerite would like to thank Reverend Allan Young, Jeanette Young and Yvette Barnett for the beautiful service. Thanks to the Alcurve Ladies who made such a wonderful lunch. Also, thank you to McCaw Funeral Service for your help and guidance at this difficult time. To everyone who sent cards, flowers, made donations, dropped off food and who sent their thoughts and prayers, thank you. Everything is greatly appreciated. The McEwen Families Donations in memory of Marguerite may be made to the Dr. Cooke Patient Comfort Fund or to a charity of the donors choice.