MARY MCINTOSH

Obituary of MARY MARGUERITE MCINTOSH

Peacefully at Riverview Health Centre, Mary Marguerite McIntosh, formerly Mitchell, nee Arnold, passed away on November 29, 2024.

 

Marguerite, (Marg) was born January 11, 1929 in Baldur, MB. She loved to recall the happiness of her small-town years: skating, tobogganing, tap dancing, family life and good friends.

 

The Arnold family moved to Woodhaven in St. James when she was a teenager. She attended Linwood School, riding the streetcar every day. Upon graduation, she entered the Faculty of Home Economics at the University of Manitoba. During her college years she was an avid hockey player, a member of the Choral Society, and a cheerleader. Marguerite was also a beauty; she was selected to be the cover girl for the 1947 Home-Ec yearbook, and won the title of “Miss St. James” Carnival Queen title, 1947. During this time, she began dating Charlie Mitchell. They were married September 10, 1949 in a lovely garden wedding at her parents’ home at 159 Woodhaven Blvd.

 

She and Charlie moved briefly across Sturgeon Creek to Thompson Drive, then to Saskatoon, and then back home to Winnipeg to 164 Woodhaven Blvd. in St. James. The family grew: first Anne, then David, then the twins, Susan and Sandra. Marg immersed herself in family and community life. She was an excellent cook and seamstress and was also a member of the St. Andrew’s Anglican Church Auxiliary.

 

The Mitchell family had a cottage built at 317 8th Ave at Victoria Beach, where Marg took up golfing, a sport she enjoyed into her 70s. Summers were idyllic; Marg and Charlie made many friends at VB. There were family barbeques, canoe trips to Elk Island, beach days and community events to take in. The adults would often gather for memorable evenings of song and laughter. Marg had a natural ability to harmonize in the alto range to any song – an ability that she never lost. No doubt her talent added to the merriment.

 

When Charlie passed away suddenly in 1974, Marg picked herself up and worked with the Volunteer Coordinator at Misericordia Hospital. Two years later a friend from the “old Woodhaven gang” came calling: George McIntosh, himself recently widowed. They married and together moved to Mackenzie BC.  So began a whole new chapter in her life with new family, new friends and of course, more dogs. Marg and George enjoyed an active social life, much of it centered on golf and curling. Upon George’s retirement they moved to Galliano Island and built a retirement home.  Mum joined the Galiano Island Spinners and Weavers and naturally took to quilting, weaving, and crocheting, creating many treasured mementos.

 

Every second summer she and George would drive from BC to Victoria Beach to spend a month with family on the Mitchell side. These were happy times, but no doubt they would have breathed a sigh of relief once that daily bike and wagon entourage of children and grandchildren headed off to the beach, providing moments of tranquility back at the cottage.

 

Eventually they moved to Parksville on Vancouver Island and remained there until George’s passing in 2007. Marg moved to Lakeside Gardens Assisted Living in Nanaimo and eventually home to Winnipeg in 2014. She stayed at Shaftesbury Retirement Centre for five years, proving to be a force to be reckoned with at bocce ball. In 2019 she moved to Riverview Health Centre.

 

Marguerite was predeceased by her father Dr. William Arnold, her mother Mary Arnold (nee Gemmill), her sister Betty (Aitken), and her brother Bill Arnold.

 

She will be remembered dearly by her brother John Arnold in Ottawa; her children Anne (Bob) Hanley, David (Susan) Mitchell, Susan Mitchell, and Sandra (Tom) Crawford; George’s family Duncan McIntosh, Heather McIntosh (Rod), Allison Timar, all in B.C., and Robin Rossetto (Brad) in Cleveland. Eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren complete “Grandma Mac’s” legacy. Her siblings’ families as well, have fond memories of Aunt Marg.  

 

The family would like to express our sincere thanks for the compassionate care she received from the staff and her companion visitor Noelle at CD1 at Riverview Health Centre. A celebration of life will take place in the summer, date to be announced later.

A Memorial Tree was planted for MARY
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at 1442 Main Street
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MARY