Obituary of Margaret McCormick
McCormick: Margaret Irene McCormick of Brandon, MB passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on March 15, 2021 at the age of 90 years.
Margaret was born May 31st, 1930 at Moosomin, SK to William and Annie Spence of Fairlight, SK. She was the third of eight children, with two brothers and five sisters. Educated in Fairlight, she attained high marks, and played on the school baseball and basketball teams. She left home at an early age and was employed in a variety of jobs in Portage la Prairie, Broadview, Winnipeg, Elphinstone, and Elgin.
She met John McCormick when she attended a dance during the time she worked at the family restaurant in Elphinstone, MB. Her family then purchased a restaurant in Elgin, MB where John and Margaret were married on June 21, 1951. They settled on the family farm west of Cardale, MB, raising two children. Margaret drove the school van for many years and took an active part in community work, joining the Foresters and UCW. She taught 4-H and volunteered on the church and rink committees catering for weddings, funerals and community events. She received many prizes and ribbons from fairs with her baking, canning, knitting, crocheting, and garden produce.
When Len left home for University, she took an increasing interest in the business of agriculture, and though Margaret never considered herself a feminist, she was ahead of her time. She and John worked out a business arrangement resulting in her acquiring her own land and equipment. Whether it was running a lawn mower, combine, loaded grain truck or keeping the books, she assumed ownership of each responsibility with determination and attention to detail.
Over the years John and Marg loved to escape the winter weather. In the 1970s, there were trips to Hawaii, Spain, Morocco and England. In the 1980s, they travelled in their RV to North Phoenix and in the 1990’s their favourite destination was the Fountain of Youth RV Park by the Salton Sea in central California. She spent countless hours ten pin bowling, hiking in the mountains, learning the art of oil painting, mastering horseshoes and cooking for potlucks. Their group might form a caravan to Mexico or take a cruise through the Panama Canal. Returning home for the summers, they continued to enjoy western dancing, camping outings with the Good Sam’s, gardening and being with family.
John and Margaret semi-retired and rented out their land in 1992, purchasing a house in Brandon. Following John’s passing in 1997, Margaret wrapped up the farm business and relocated to Lion’s Manor. In 1999. she was one of the first residents in the new addition and thrived in the company of new friends; playing cards, shuffleboard, planning Christmas pageants, joining the Kitchen Band, singing in the Choir, and showing at the art shows. When she needed to reduce some of her activities, she always met daily with the morning “Coffee Gang” downstairs. Twenty years in Lions Manor, and Margaret experienced a CVA (stroke) and relocated across the street to Victoria Landing in 2019. Then, in January 2021, Margaret was hospitalized for repair of a fractured hip however her health continued to decline and she passed peacefully on March 15, 2021.
Margaret was predeceased by her: husband Samuel John McCormick, Jr. on Nov 10, 1997; father William Spence and mother Annie Spence (Johnson); brothers Robert Joseph Spence and John Charles (Jock) Spence; sisters Mary Elizabeth Rice, Dorothy May Skulmoski, and Francis Eileen Schroeder; sister-in-law Ruth Moses; and great granddaughter Cecelia Little Lott.
Her life will forever be cherished by her surviving two children: Len McCormick of Surrey, BC, Darlene (Larry) Henry of Brandon, MB; four grandchildren: Angela Lott of Lynden, WA, Vanessa McCormick of Port Coquitlam, BC, Kevin Henry of Waterloo, ON, and Ryan Henry of Airdrie, AB; and five great-grandchildren: (Sophie, Isabella, Samantha, Sparrow and Blake); sisters: Eva Campbell of Winnipeg, MB, Nancy Lucy of Surrey, BC; sister-in-law Greta Coger of Memphis, TN; a host of nieces and nephews across five provinces, and her friends at the Lions Manor and Victoria Landing.
A private virtual memorial will be held with a family gathering planned in the future when Covid19 travel restrictions are lifted. In accordance with Margaret's wishes, cremation has taken place with interment at Marney Cemetery north of Cardale.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, 1379 Kenaston Blvd., Winnipeg, MB, R3P 2T5; to the St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 361 Russell St, Brandon, MB, R7A 5H6; or to charity of choice.
I Remember.
… I remember, I remember, the loaves of bread we baked,
The pies, the cakes and cookies, each upon their plate.
I remember, I remember, each day that passed me by,
And I'm sure I'll remember them until the day I die.
(A last verse from Margaret (Spence) McCormick
