Margaret Maria Gibson

It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Margaret Gibson. Margaret, in keeping with her character, slipped away quietly and peacefully at Oakview Place on the afternoon of February 14. She was 96 years old.

Margaret was born on November 16, 1914 to William and Matilda Gibson. She was the oldest child in the family and was predeceased by her sister Hilda who passed away in 1989 and her brother Graham who was killed on active duty with the RCAF in 1942. She is survived by her niece Mary Jane Novokowsky (Bernie) and her nephews Graham McCullough (Eileen), Cam McCullough (Marnie), Craig McCullough (Bert), grand niece Megan and grand nephews Keith, Daniel and Lance.

Never too tired to lend a helping hand, never too busy to volunteer her time, Margaret was always there when you needed her. She began her professional career as a registered nurse at St. Boniface Hospital in the early 1940s and later moved on to become the on-site nurse at Swift’s Meat Processing Plant in Winnipeg.

Upon her retirement, Margaret spent many years volunteering for the Red Cross at blood donor clinics throughout Winnipeg and serving meals to Alzheimer’s patients at Deer Lodge Centre. After moving to McClure Place, she continued her volunteer activities using her nursing background to, in her words, “help out some of the older people”.

Away from work, she was a passionate gardener. Her backyard on Lipton Street was ablaze in colour during the summer months and, later in life, she loved spending many Sunday mornings with her great nephews Keith and Daniel and her great niece Megan visiting the English Garden at Assiniboine Park.

In fact, Sundays with Margaret became a long-standing tradition. She was the best great-aunt Keith, Megan and Daniel could ever have had. She was so proud of those children! Margaret leapt at every opportunity to babysit and her energy and imagination made every visit memorable and unique. Whether it was a trip across town on the bus (“Margaret took us on the bus!”) to buy cookies at Penner Foods, planting flowers or simply raking leaves in the backyard, Margaret’s energy, devotion and love of life shone through.

She was fiercely independent and strong. Up until she reached her mid 80s, Margaret would think nothing of walking five kilometers to visit a friend and then, once she got there, cutting their grass or painting their fence.

Sadly, the last four years of her life were spent in a personal care home. Yet, even there, as the curtain slowly began to fall, she kept her sense of humor and her can-do spirit. Margaret always had a smile on her face and, up until the last few weeks of her life, she continued to stay on the move, refusing to be confined to a wheelchair.

An extremely unassuming, humble person who never sought the spotlight, Margaret was unforgettable and will be held closely in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have called her a friend. She was irreplaceable.

In keeping with Margaret’s wishes, a private ceremony will be held to celebrate her life.

Special thanks to all the staff at Oakview Place who looked after Margaret the last few years, especially Dawn, Nathaniel and Kendra.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Red Cross Society or the charity of your choice.