Obituary of MARGARET ETHEL SPENCE

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Margaret Ethel Spence on April 7, 2024, at the age of 91 years and Alexander McRae Spence on April 17, 2024, at the age of 92 years.

Margaret was born on August 26, 1932, in the village of Hallow in Worcestershire, England. After leaving school, she worked as a switchboard operator for the General Post Office in the city of Worcester. Alex was born on June 29, 1931, in the village of Strichen in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He studied joinery and carpentry at the Aberdeen Trade School. After completing his qualifications, in 1953 he enlisted in the Royal Engineers Corps to fulfil his National Service obligation.

Margaret and Alex met at a dance while he was stationed at Norton barracks near Worcester. Before long they fell in love, and in December 1955, a few months after his discharge from the army, they married at the village church in Hallow. They lived in Worcester until 1957, when they emigrated to Winnipeg. Homesickness led them back to the UK in 1960, and they remained in Worcester for six more years. By then their family had grown to include three children, and they decided that Canada would offer a bright future. Winnipeg would become their home for the rest of their lives. Alex worked for many years as a self-employed finishing carpenter before joining Woodland Supply as an estimator.  Margaret worked at first for the Manitoba Telephone System, and she devoted herself entirely to home and family for many years. After those demands subsided, she worked in the Bridal Registry at the Bay on Portage Ave, where she made lasting friendships.

As much as they continued to miss family in Britain and delighted in the chances they had to visit or to welcome visitors, Margaret and Alex embraced life in Canada. They took the family on camping and fishing trips and on many day trips to share their love of nature. Together they built a cottage at Brewster Bay on Lake Winnipeg. They spent many happy hours working in their beautiful gardens at the cottage and at their home in the city.

Margaret and Alex are survived by their sons Andrew, Colin (Melody), and Stewart (Barbara); their grandchildren Kristjan (Kathleen), Freyja (Dain), Alexander Paul, Ainsley, Emily, and Alexander Stewart (Samantha); their great-grandchildren Calvin and Alice; by Margaret’s sister-in-law Maureen and Alex’s sister Kathleen; and by their nieces Sandra, Lorraine, Helen, and Sarah, and nephew James. They will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by family and friends.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg for their compassion and skill in caring for Margaret and Alexander. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Canadian Wildlife Federation would be welcomed.

Cremation has taken place and Funeral details will follow at a later date.