Early on August 7, 2017, the best mom and grandma in the world left us.  

 

Born Margaret Jean Stewart, on November 17, 1920, in Winnipeg, MB, ‘Maggie’ grew up in Elmwood and was the youngest daughter to Douglas and Mary Stewart, and sister to brother Douglas and older sister Ruth. A lover of life, laughter and dancing at the Grand Beach Dance Hall, Maggie attended St. John’s High School and kept busy as a dental assistant until she met a handsome sailor by the name of Robert in her twenties.

 

On June 1, 1946, she became Maggie MacCallum and soon after, their home was filled with three children – daughter Leslie and sons Robert and Douglas.  A lover of animals, Maggie was also mom to a number of dogs over the years, namely Scamp and Bonnie Jean. She became a grandma to many a furry friend too including current family pups Clyde, Sammie and Charli.

 

Maggie welcomed everyone into her home and became a second mom to anyone who needed her. In 1955 Robert and Maggie, along with best friends Harry and Ethel Allen purchased 18 acres at what was then known as Belair Beach (now Lester Beach).  Their cottage can still be found at the end of MacCallum Drive, the site of hundreds of gatherings over the 60-plus years. The shores of Lake Winnipeg was her favorite spot and once Robert retired, the beach became their summer home with Phoenix their winter home. Mom and Dad took up golf as one of their pursuits and were members at Pine Falls Golf Club.

 

They also travelled to Scotland to visit relatives, as well as trips to England, Hawaii, California, the Caribbean and Spain.  She loved to travel, making new friends and always wrote the best postcards.

 

The saying ‘love is in the details’ could have been written about Maggie. She made every occasion special and when you were in her presence, you were all that mattered to her. The simplest things in life made her the happiest – meeting a dog on a walk, a cool drink of Kool-Aid on the beach and a Werther’s Original candy.

 

After Robert’s passing, Maggie lived on her own at the Hedges in Garden City. There, she made many friends playing Bingo, cards and shuffleboard, and during numerous group dinners and outings.

 

For health reasons, Maggie moved to the Beacon Hill Personal Care Home in October, 2016, where she spent the rest of her days. Our gratitude goes to the wonderful staff that cared for her this past year, Marilyn’s many visits, and to family physician Dr. Ray Singer.

 

Maggie was predeceased by her parents, sister Ruth and brother Douglas, and husband Robert. Forever honouring her memory on earth is her daughter Leslie, sons, Bob (Val) and Doug (Lois), niece Joanne, and grandchildren Kristin (Brett), Heather (Bryan) and Reece, as well as great-grandchildren, Spencer, Dylan and Aubrey.

Having the biggest heart, Maggie always shed a tear when someone’s vacation was over, so it seems fitting that she left us on a long weekend and wished to have no service or memorial upon her passing. Her wish in lieu of flowers, is for donations to be made to the Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter at 3062 Portage Avenue.

 

Maggie, our hearts are heavy having lost you, but our lives are forever better for having loved you. We’ll save you a chair on the beach to catch 100 more sunsets.

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