Margaret Louise Cousineau

Margaret Louise Cousineau, age 70 years of 1220 Strachan Place, Fort Frances, Ontario passed away with her family at her side on Saturday, January 30, 2010 at LaVerendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances, Ontario.

She was born on December 23, 1939 in Fort Frances to the late Thomas S. and Beatrice M. (Miller) Mathieu.

Margaret spent her early childhood in Fort Frances and attended St. Mary’s School. In 1954, she began her secondary schooling at the Academy of the Holy Angels in Minneapolis, Mn and graduated from this prestigious institution on June 3, 1958. That summer, Margaret toured Europe. She sailed from New York aboard the Queen Mary on July 16 and then traveled through 9 countries. Highlights of the trip included a visit to the World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium, a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Mary in Lourdes, France and an audience with the Pope in Rome. Margaret returned to the States aboard the Coronia in late August. In September of that same year, Margaret entered Minneapolis Business College.

On March 7, 1959, Margaret married Bernard C. P. Cousineau in Fort Frances. The couple later moved to Duluth, Mn and Margaret started working at the Duluth Clinic as a Doctor’s Aid for Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Dr. J.H. Leek. Pregnancy caused her to leave that job late in December of 1959. Margaret did return to work briefly from November 1961 until January 1962 at Penney’s at the Plaza in the Infant and Dry Goods Department but left this position too to look after her growing family. The couple returned to Fort Frances in 1967 and raised six children. Besides homemaking, Margaret also enjoyed painting ceramics, crocheting, bird watching, gardening and spending time at the lake.

Margaret was an enthusiastic member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority as well as the Catholic Women’s League. She was a loving and caring advisor to Nu Phi Mu degree sisters. She also inspired and launched the sorority’s Daffodil Drive for the Canadian Cancer Society in 1975. Beta Sigma Phi honoured her considerable contributions to the sorority with their Order of the Rose on April 27, 1983.

Margaret returned to school in 1982 and earned a diploma in Social Work from Confederation College on June 9, 1984.

Margaret was an active member of several Boards. She represented the Town of Fort Frances on the Northwestern Health Unit Board from 1983 to 1990. She served as chairperson of both their dental and finance committees. Margaret was Board President of Family and Children Services for the District of Rainy River from 1984 to 1989. Margaret also served on the Lakehead Regional Family Centre from 1984 to 1992.

She was predeceased by one twin son, Bernard Francis, who passed away in infancy on October 28, 1968; one sister, Judy A. McKenzie on September 14, 1992 and Judy’s husband, Doug McKenzie.

Margaret is survived by her six children, Thomas Cousineau and wife Susan, and Paul Cousineau and wife Lisa all of Fort Frances, ON., Mary and husband Scott Knutson of Eagan, MN., John Cousineau of Fort Frances, ON., Anne Cousineau of Calgary, AB., and Betsy and husband Tom Neutgens of Otsego, MN.; nine grandchildren, Jessica, Donovan and Chandler Cousineau, Andrew, Daniel and Katelyn Knutson, and Nicole, Dominic and Nicholas Neutgens; one sister, Noreen M. Stinson of Fort Frances, ON.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation will take place at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, Minnesota.

A memorial mass to celebrate Margaret’s life will be held on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances, Ontario with Father Joseph Marattil officiating. Interment will take place at a later date.

Friends may visit with family Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ontario with Parish prayers offered at 7 p.m.

Honourary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and special friends, Mary Williams and Debora Nussbaumer.

Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, P.O. Box 444, Fort Frances, ON., P9A 3M8, or in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, ON., P9A 3M8.

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com