Margaret MOWATT

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MOWATT: Margaret Elizabeth (Cowan) was born on December 27, 1912 to Daniel and Elizabeth Cowan, both of whom had come to Canada from Scotland. She grew up at Waskada on a farm during the “Dirty Thirties” and attended Waskada School. She moved to Brandon in 1923 and obtained employment at Brandon Mental Health Centre where she acquired numerous friends. In May, 1941 Mom married Alexander Craigie Mowatt who had come from the Orkney Islands with his widowed Mother since his Father had already perished in World War I. Margaret and Alex lived in Grand Valley and Forrest before moving to the farm at 22-9-19 in 1944 where they began to eke out a living with cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys and two horses. A month before their 21st Wedding Anniversary, Dad suddenly experienced a fatal heart attack on April 10, 1962, and Mom became a widow. Mom set for herself the humongous goal of maintaining the farm “south on #10 Highway” which was by then a significant dairy operation. She personally attended to milking the cows both morning and night. Mom was a high energy, hard worker who, while managing all aspects of the farm, continued to be a fabulous cook, an amazing seamstress, a quilter, a busy gardener of vegetables and flowers, a church and community supporter, a generous hostess and a thoughtful friend. Mom lived an amazing life. In addition to her very busy life and cherished friends (for whom the tea pot was always ready) she enjoyed two surprise trips. Her first was when her family excused her from her daily routines to go to Florida with Isabel Shaw. The second was in 1972 when she went o Scotland all on her own to visit a myriad of cousins and other relatives. As time wore on she experienced several health challenges but always overcame them. However, she developed a philosophy: “The medical system today can keep you living too long! My wish is to go to bed some night and not wake up in the morning.” God granted her that wish on September 22, 2014. She had lived 101 years, 8 months and 26 days. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Alexander Craigie Mowatt, her parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Cowan, her siblings: an infant brother and brothers Alex and Jim Cowan and sisters, Chrissie (Tobe) Hainsworth and Jean (Ernie) Thompson. In addition she was predeceased by two nieces, Betty (Wayne) Webster and Bonnie Hainsworth, plus numerous relatives in England, Scotland and Canada. Mom had a host of close friends whom she grieved when they passed away. Mourning her passing are her three children and their families: daughter, Pat (Cliff) Bowslaugh, grandsons Brad (Jennifer) and great-granddaughter, Nyah Bowslaugh; Scott (Tracy), great-granddaughters, Sierra and McKenna Bowslaugh: daughter, Margie (Keith) Hannah, grandson Jason (Kristine) Hannah and granddaughter Leanne Hannah Kehler, great-granddaughters, Rylee and Rory Kehler; son, Robert (Betty) Mowatt, grandsons Craig (Sheri), great-grandchildren, Zach (Krista), Cole and Scott Mowatt and Danny (Eve), great-grandchildren Tyson and Brooke Mowatt, granddaughter, Lori (Mark) Henson, great-grandson, Ryan. Also left with supportive memories are her sisters-in-law, Lorna Cowan and Florence Cowan plus numerous nieces and nephews including Barbara Vanderaa and Neva Hainsworth both of whom lived with Mom for a period of time. The families of her Saskatchewan cousins also survive. Funeral service was held at Trinity Church on October 1, 2014 with Rev. Wayne Sanderson presiding. Her three children, Pat, Margie and Robert shared their precious memories in her eulogy and her seven grandchildren were pallbearers: Craig and Danny Mowatt, Lori Henson, Jason Hannah and Leanne Hannah Kehler, Brad and Scott Bowslaugh. The family wishes to extend our appreciation to Cindy Wood and the staff of Brockie Donovan Funeral Home, to Rev. Wayne Sanderson, Jim and Crocus Plains Culinary Arts staff and students for preparing the reception lunch and to Trinity U.C.W. for serving the lunch. Appreciation is also extended to Valleyview Care Centre staff for the attention afforded our Mother over the past four years. Dear MomAs pages turnedThrough the days of lifeYou bore the challenges Of both toil and strife.With never a complaintYou struggled on Working so hardDuring both dusk and dawn.Your memories we treasureAs we meet each dayRemembering always You lead the way!~ With a fond farewell,Your loving family

As published in Brandon Sun on Oct 18, 2014