Obituary of Margaret-Helen McVey

MARGARET HELEN HUGHES Margaret Helen Hughes, 88, of 425 Nelson St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully at her residence on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004. She was born April 28, 1915 in Fort Frances to the late Margaret and John McVey. She was predeceased by her first husband, David Andrew Vance in 1947; her husband, Woodrow (Woody) Walter Hughes in 1991; one son, John David (Vance) Hughes in 1953; brother, John R. McVey; and sister, Viola Watt. Margaret is survived by three daughters, Woodrina and husband, Richard Dick, of Fort Frances, Ont., Sandra and husband, Jack Walkey, of Vermilion Bay, Ont., and Tammy Hughes and husband, Dan Ring, of Richmond, B.C.; three grandchildren, Jason Walkey and wife, Jennifer, of Vermilion Bay, Ont., Andrea Walkey of Kenora, Ont., and Amanda Ring of Richmond, B.C.; and great-grandson, Vance Walkey of Vermilion Bay Ont. Also surviving are her brother, Stan McVey and wife, Beatrice, of Parry Sound, Ont.; numerous nieces and nephews; and a foster son, Kit Lambden and wife, Candie Parkes, of Sardis, B.C., and their children, Christopher and D’Arci. After growing up in Fort Frances, Margaret returned to Rainy River District to teach after attending Normal School in North Bay. She later met and married David Vance, settled in Winnipeg, Man., and started a family with the births of John and Sandra. Margaret was widowed in 1947 after a place crash in British Columbia. In February, 1952, she married Woody Hughes in Winnipeg. Two years later, they moved to Fort Frances with Woodrina and Sandra. Foster son Kit Lambden shared five years with Margaret and Woody. In 1960, their lives were further blessed by the birth of their youngest daughter, Tammy. The draw of Rainy Lake resulted in Margaret and Woody establishing roots at Tamarwood on Reef Point Road, where she exercised her green thumb in her vegetable garden. As an avid sports enthusiast, Margaret enjoyed curling, golfing, playing bridge, and cheering for her favourite teams from the comforts of her living room. As a tireless community worker, Margaret was a founder of the Meals on Wheels program, devoted member of her United Church Women’s (UCW) unit, and served on the Rainycrest Auxiliary. Margaret was able to remain comfortable in her own apartment thanks to the kind care provided by Home Support, ComCare, and Meals on Wheels. Margaret suffered from macular degeneration and the Canadian National Institute of the Blind (CNIB) provided much-appreciated services through a reading machine and audio books. Margaret would like to see these valuable services carried on. Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the CNIB c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8. As an active member of the United Church, in memoriam donations also may be made in Margaret’s memory to the Knox United Church, 340 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1E1. A memorial service to celebrate Margaret’s life was held Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004 at 1 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, with Rev. Marietta Marshall officiating. Interment will take place in the cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.