Catherine ROGERS

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ROGERS: Catherine Marie Rogers (nee McTaggart), passed away at her residence in Glenboro on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at the age of 91. Catherine leaves to mourn her passing daughters Gail (Albert) Hamilton of Glenboro, Joan (Barry) Jackson of Calgary, AB, Jill (Ken) Vertz of Sherwood, Park AB and daughter-in-law Trina (Curtis) Wytinck of Glenboro, MB; nine grandchildren, Travis (Carley) Hamilton of Richmond, VA, Trent (Kyla) Hamilton Kenora, ON, Ian Hamilton (Kyla) Glenboro, Alana (Garth) Bates Millarville, AB, Angela (Ryan) Smith Lethbridge, AB, Karnie (Cori) Vertz and Kiel Vertz of Sherwood Park, AB, Carson Rogers (Marisa) Brandon, and Jaymee Rogers (Payton) Killarney, twelve great grandchildren, Richmond and Phillip, Lane and Leah, Liv, Calie and Mac, Avery and Connor, Charli and Reese and Kyler. She is also survived by her oldest brother Wallace (Audrey) McTaggart of Winnipeg and youngest brother Bob McTaggart of Duncan, BC, sisters-in-law Elva McTaggart of Edmonton, AB and Joyce McTaggart of Stonewall, MB, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, friends and extended family. Catherine was predeceased by her husband Donald (2009), son Glen (2003), great grandchild Adria Bates (2009), parents Jack and Marie McTaggart, brothers Roy and Neil, sister Orma (Harry) Gray, and by sisters and brothers-in-law Lena (John Lyall) (Jim) Steele, Dorothy (Doug) Elliott, Bessie (Stan) Malyon, Eileen (Harold) Jackson, Bert (Audrey) Johnson. We have often heard that with love, comes grief, and this saying rings very true as we prepare words to honour a woman who has created a family legacy that will never fade. Catherine was born on ‘Frog Hollow farm’ in the Stockton district. She attended school at Stockton, Hawkins and Glenboro. She taught on permit at Northfield School, then attended Normal School in Winnipeg, and then taught at Wawanesa before being married on October 27, 1951 to Don Rogers. Catherine and Don provided a loving family home, with Mom’s duties clearly being house, sewing, yard, and garden. She was a farmer’s wife, but she left the fieldwork, and the animal chores to Dad. She knew how to control her domain and was a full on mom. She provided her children with many enriching activities like music, 4-H, and church groups. She nurtured each of her children’s attributes and always pushed them to expand their horizons. Most of her time was devoted to supporting her husband and children, but she and Dad did Square dance. And fun family outings, whether a shopping trip to Brandon, or a rainy day trip to relatives are still a cherished memory for all her children. There was always lots of laughter - especially when any of Dad’s five sisters visited. Mom felt especially close to her Roger’s sister-in-laws. She derived great pleasure from being part of the UCW, and Rebekah Lodge. This gave her a network of girlfriends, some Winnipeg escapes, and she especially loved being part of a group that catered meals, to weddings and other community events. She was always a willing volunteer for her community. And speaking of food, she took immense pride in cooking and baking for her family as well. There has never been a special (or ordinary) occasion that did not include some of Grandma Roger’s dainties. Her little treasures of sweetness have always been a part of the warmth and charm of shared family times. When grandchildren started arriving, she was there of course, to help in any way she could, babysitting, cooking, cleaning - however not a push over grandma, but one that always made clear the high standards she expected! She stressed working hard, doing your best, and tightening your belt when required! In 1991 when son Glen and Trina took over the farm, Mom and Dad moved to a house in town. From this house she continued to welcome all with open arms, which always included baking! In later years, Mom and Dad travelled to visit family all across Canada, and made two trips to England, where Dad still had family. More often, it was Mom who was hosting visitors. She was very inclusive and worked to maintain solid meaningful connections with all family. Mom’s ability to recall details, and in turn be truly interested in every family members most mundane activities was often joked about, but in truth quite remarkable. She never tired in hearing about what all her grandchildren and great grandchildren were up to. We have all often marveled at her lifelong desire to keep her mind actively engaged and challenged. Those skills never left her. Even in her last years as her congestive heart failure sapped her energy and she relied on a network of caregivers and delivery people to meet her needs, she included all of them in her circle of daily care, concern and interest. She was always so pleased to have a little chat with a home care worker, meals on wheels delivery person, a grocery delivery person, her hairdressers, and other personal care givers. And she always stayed on top of the latest news, in Spirit Sands Housing where she lived for her last 14 years, in Glenboro, in Manitoba, in Canada, and worldwide. If you wanted to keep abreast of happenings she was the source. As we say goodbye to a woman who made us all feel so very loved, and filled us with an important sense of belonging and family, we take comfort in the following song lyrics from the Ed Sheeran song Supermarket Flowers.So I’ll sing hallelujah,You were an angel in the shape of my MomWhen I fell down you’d be there holding me upSpread your wings as you goAnd when God takes you back we’ll sing HallelujahYou’re Home.A burial took place at the Glenboro Cemetery on Tuesday, April 7, 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic a celebration of Catherine's life will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in Catherine’s memory to the Glenboro & Area Foundation, Box 147, Glenboro, or to the Glenboro United Church Memorial Fund, Box 623, Glenboro, MB, R0K 0X0. On line condolences can be sent to the Rogers family by visiting www.willmorchapel.comJamieson’s Funeral Services of Glenboro-Holland in care of arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Apr 18, 2020