Obituary of Margaret Annie Menzies

MENZIES: Margaret Annie Menzies (née Black) passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Saturday, June 9, 2012 after a long illness. Margaret was born on the family farm in Shoal Lake Municipality, first daughter, and second child to John Duncan Black and Annie Ethel Black (née) Fisher. Her early school days were spent in Oakburn and Shoal Lake. She grew up on the family farm and enjoyed the local dances, clubs and sporting events. She spoke proudly of barn dances and moonlight trips from home to town in the family sleigh or cutter. She married a wonderful man from the Oakburn area on June 4, 1941, Donald Joseph "Joe" Menzies. Initially farmers, Joe enlisted in the armed forces and was transferred to Italy where he was wounded in the battle of the Liri Valley. He returned home and they began to build a life and family together. Their first two children, John and Mavis, were born in Winnipeg while her husband studied at the University of Manitoba. In 1950, after Joe's graduation, they moved to Brandon where her second daughter, Glennis, was born. Several other moves occurred, all in southern Manitoba, but in 1959, the family moved back to Brandon to a new house on 12th Street East where she lived the rest of her life. Her second son, Robert, was born in Brandon in 1960. Margaret's passion for family and community was remarkable. Although her first priority was always the welfare of her family, she still found time to contribute to community life. She was an active member of Toastmistress Club (ITC), Consumers' Association of Canada, Seniors for Seniors, The Liberal Party of Canada and was a long time member of Central United Church. Mom always believed in the value of education, and although unable to graduate high school during the great depression, she returned to adult education in her late years obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandon University at the age of 70. Our mother was the gentlest, most gracious person imaginable. Her warmth and kindness shone in everything she did and with everyone she met. She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years in 1980, and by her brother Douglas and sister Mary. Margaret will be lovingly remembered by four children John (Leslie), Mavis Menzies, Glennis Hodgson, Robert (Natalie), ten grandchildren Dylan Hodgson (Jennifer), Jordan Menzies (Holly), Adam Menzies, Ryan Hodgson, Hayden Menzies, Adrian Menzies, Alex Menzies, Tyler Menzies, Bobby Menzies and Kael Cardinal, six great grandchildren, four sisters Shirley LeBlanc, Phyllis McIntyre, Ruth MacIntosh, Zetta Berg and two daughters-in-law. Thanks to all of Mom's friends and neighbours who over the years have come to her aid when she needed them. A special thanks to Doctors. J. Vlok and M. Turabian who called her the "miracle woman," and whom our mother held in the highest esteem. Special thanks also go to Dr. Weinberg and the wonderful and caring staff at the Brandon Hospital Intensive Care Unit who allowed her to die in as close to a family setting as possible. Funeral service was held at Central United Church on Thursday, June 14, 2012. Rev. Laird Russell-Yearwood officiated. Interment took place at Argyle Cemetery. "A mother's death is the first sorrow wept without her"