Obituary
Margaret Florence Dyck (nee Bowen), citizen of Fort William First Nation, in her 97th year, passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side at the Glenboro Personal Care Home on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.
Margaret was born on June 17, 1925 in the small town of Graham, Ontario, in Treaty #9 Territory near her father’s trap line. Margaret lived a long life of both love and hardship. During World War II, Margaret worked the line on the Canadian Car and Foundry Company in Fort William, ON manufacturing artillery shells. After the War, she held many jobs but she left it all behind when she moved to Winnipeg.
In Winnipeg, she met John “Willie” Dyck, the love of her life. They married June 1, 1957. In 1970, they moved to Brandon, MB for her husband’s work. At this time, Margaret became a stay-at-home mother. She loved to cook. Her specialties were homemade noodles and mincemeat tarts, strawberry jam and borscht. She loved to knit and crochet, stitching together colourful afghans and slippers.
From October 1977 to June 1990 she enjoyed working at McKenzie Seeds. Marg never forgot any of the family birthdays or anyone’s anniversaries. She lived for bingo, fishing, curling, camping, shuffleboard, bowling and her beloved Dachshund Heidi and Terrier Babe. She was a member of the Army and Navy Legion, a longtime member of the Brandon Club and collected dog figurines. After Willie died in 2001, she lived independently in Brandon until she was 90. At 82, her first and only overseas trip was to her granddaughter Chrissy’s, wedding in New Zealand. Margaret loved spending time with daughter Cheryl and husband Doug Berry at their farm.
In 2015, she moved into Glenboro’s Glen Haven Manor apartment where she made many new wonderful friends. She was a member of the Raystone Senior Centre in Glenboro and enjoyed going to Cypress River Senior Centre for meals once a month. Oh and never missed a weekly bingo game at the local Legion. She decided to quit driving at 95 and sold her car. A sports fanatic, she never missed a Toronto Blue Jays, Winnipeg Jets or Blue Bombers game and the many curling bonspiels on television. Age did not slow her down. Marg over the years never missed a bus tour or catching one of her favourite live concerts.
In December 2020, Margaret moved into the Glenboro Personal Care Home. Again she made new friends and settled into her new routine. She loved the nurses and health care workers and liked to tease them all. Up to three weeks ago, she played Scrabble and loved crossword puzzles, Sudoku and did word searches. She was an avid reader and her favourite author was her granddaughter Tanya Talaga. She loved Glenboro and all the people who live there.
Margaret leaves to cherish her memory by sons and daughters: Sheila (Alfred) Van Sluytman, Toronto, Ontario, Cheryl (Doug) Berry, Glenboro, Manitoba, Bill (Marline) Neil, Rapid City, Manitoba, Maurice Blomme (Susan), Winnipeg, Manitoba. Also surviving are sister Bernice Galbraith, sister-in-law Verna McDonald and her best friend for 62 years Pauline Friesen; thirteen (13) grandchildren; twenty-seven (27) great grandchildren; five (5) great great grandchildren; numerous nieces & nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews as well as other relatives.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband John “Willie” Dyck, son Albert Neil, parents; Elizabeth and Russell Bowen, sisters and brothers; Mary Chowhan, Elizabeth Wright, Blanche Trager, Connie Holford, Sarah Amirault, Hank Bowen, Russell Bowen and granddaughter Donna Warren.
A celebration of Margaret’s life will take place in the spring.
Friends that so desire, memorial donations can be made in Margaret’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society 415-1st St. Brandon, MB R7A 2W8 or the Heart and Stroke Foundation 1379 Kenaston BLVD. Winnipeg MB R3P 2T5, or to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences can be sent to Margaret’s family by visiting her profile page at www.willmorchapel.com. Jamieson’s Funeral Services of Glenboro in care of arrangements.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret Florence (Bowen) Dyck, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Florence Bowen Dyck June 17 1925 January 11 2022 (age 96)..
Death notice for the town of: Glenboro, Province: Manitoba