Obituary of Margaret Clarke
It is with both sadness and a peaceful sense of deep gratitude that we, the family of Margaret Clarke, announce her passing on Friday, January 5th, 2024, after a short stay at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, SK. We will celebrate the full 91 years she lived with a funeral service in the Spring when the trees bud and the flowers bloom.
Margaret is survived by her son, Bruce (Becky) Clarke of Kelowna, BC, and daughter Kim (Donn) Goertz of Prince Albert, grandchildren, Sophia, Sara, Daniela and Oliver Clarke, Hudson and Harrison Goertz; her siblings, Allison Coleman, Gladys Selander, Sharon Woloszyn and Betsy Williams; her brothers-in-law, Jim Juker, Allan Oreel and Harold Smith and many special nieces, nephews and their families. Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Lloyd in the Fall of 2018; her parents, Stanley, and Annie Woloszyn; her siblings, Leona Woloszyn, Joseph Woloszyn, Jennie Ungarian, Irene Smith, Mary Anderson (twin), Debbie Juker and Violet Oreel; brothers-in-law, Al Ungarian, Clare Anderson, Toby Coleman, Larry Williams and Arnold Selander; nieces, Glenda Williams and Lana Parenteau and nephews, Terry and Jim Anderson and Jordan Woloszyn Dreaver.
Margaret was born in the Summer of 1932, on a farm founded by her parents, who came to Canada from Poland in 1929. She was raised on that farm with 9 sisters along with another brother and sister who both died in infancy. Margaret was a twin (to Mary) and married her husband Lloyd, also a twin, in the Summer of 1962, after living on the family farm in Cookson.
Before marrying, Margaret lived briefly in Vancouver, BC with her sister Jennie to try her hand at city living. She returned to Saskatchewan and she and Lloyd settled in Redwing Terrace, just North of Prince Albert, SK, where they raised their children, Bruce, and Kim. The years spent in Redwing with special friends like the Hoko and Macek families, among many others, were precious memories for her. Margaret enjoyed gardening, berry picking, games of bingo and cards, gathering with family and friends, watching her children and grandchildren play sports, road trips, visits to BC and working as a hairdresser, among other jobs. Hard work and a selfless love of her family, friends and animals are qualities she will be lovingly remembered for.
Her grandchildren called her ‘Amee’ and adored her homemade pies and jam. She loved to play cards and continued to do so to pass the time during her quieter years at her care homes and her final nursing home, Mont St Joseph. She remained a skillful player into her 91st year of life and often showcased that skill by beating her son-in-law, Donn at 31 during weekly visits. She also loved attending church and enjoyed the years she spent with her family at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St Joseph Parish, and the chapel at Mont St Joseph. She was well enough to attend mass with her children, grandchildren, and siblings on Christmas Eve this year, which was very special to her. She took great pride in maintaining her physical health and was mobile until the last couple of days of her life. We marveled at her strength and determination to continue to live as independently as she could.
Her advice to those she loved was to slow down and enjoy life. She spent the last chapter of her life appreciating the nature that surrounded her, particularly the spruce trees outside of her window at her nursing home. She would love to be remembered by those who knew and cared for her as a hardworking, kindhearted, loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. She made us laugh often, reminded us to appreciate each other and taught us endless lessons in this life. We will honor her by savoring a freshly picked berry or apple, taking a moment to marvel in the swaying of a tree, the formation of a cloud or the condition of a wheat field and by loving each other well as she taught us to do. Go rest high Mom. You were loved and will always be. We breathe your love in and breathe your love out, and so you stay right here with us, never further away than our breath, where you always wanted to be.
Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Marianne Turcotte, Funeral Director, Prince Albert, SK 306-763-3322.
