MCEACHERN, Margaret It is with deep sadness and profound gratitude for her life we announce the passing of Margaret (Peggy Hartrick) McEachern, dear wife of Ernest McEachern, cherished mother of Anne (Ross) Ryder, Kelowna, B.C., Arlene Wallace, Calgary, James (Linda) Hartrick, Leduc, Connie McMillan, Red Deer, Donald (Corinne) Hartrick, Calgary, much loved sister of Ruth (Dennis) Stafford, Red Deer, Burns (Fay) Chisholm, Sidney, B.C., Merritt (Bennie) Chisholm, Sidney, B.C., Lorna Holmes, Camrose, AB. Also mourning her passing brother-in-law Gordon Dittburner, Kamloops, B.C., Catherine Hartrick, Maxville, Ont., and Donald John (Annabelle) Hartrick, Dunvegan, Ont., Don (Jeanette) McEachern. What a legacy she leaves her sixteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews who always called her Auntie Peg. She was born Margaret Mary Chisholm in a sod shack on the family farm at Naco, AB, first born of Forbes and Gertrude Chilsholm. For fifteen years she was a prairie girl, then in 1931 the family moved to Dunvegan, Ont. At age 17 she entered nursing school in Brockville, Ont. She returned west in 1938, began nursing in Ponoka, obtaining her psychiatric post grad certificate. In 1940 she married Peter Hartrick. They farmed in the Waskasoo district west of Red Deer. Her inner strength and indomitable spirit enabled her to farm alongside Peter, raise her family, be a surrogate mother to her younger siblings, nurse the neighbors and the livestock and do it all with dignity, grace and a wonderful sense of humor. She returned to the nursing profession in 1954 to do what she loved to do. Over the next thirty years she touched the lives of patients and staff by her compassionate and empathetic manner. She had the gift of knowing just what to say in every situation. Margaret spent her retirement years quilting, gardening, painting and feeding a multitude of guests, family, friends and strangers. All who have supped at her table can attest to her culinary skills. Her warm affectionate hugs making all feel instantly at home. Margaret was predeceased by her first husband Peter Hartrick, sister Myrna Dittburner, grandson Garth Scott, sons-in-law, Alex Wallace and Lorne McMillan.
Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at Gaetz United Church, 4758 Ross Street, Red Deer, AB on Saturday, November 27, 2004 at 12 noon; Funeral Services will commence at 1:00 p.m. with the Reverend Fran Hare officiating. Interment will follow the luncheon. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, #101, 5208 - 53rd Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4N 5K2 or to the Gaetz Memorial United Church "Memorial Fund", 4758 Ross Street, Red Deer, AB T4N 1X2 or to the charity of donor's choice. Sympathies can be forwarded to the family at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. In living memory of Margaret McEachern, a tree will be planted in the Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium Memorial Tree Park.
Arrangements in care of
PARKLAND FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM
6287-67A Street
Red Deer
(on Taylor Drive, one block north of 67th St.)
Phone 340-4040