Margaret Mary Leonard

Margaret Mary McRae was born to Jesse and Sarah McRae in Loverna, Saskatchewan on November 9, 1923. Her father was a storekeeper and she and her brother Murdoch and sisters Georgie and Jen moved from place to place until they settled in Amulet in 1947. She finished High School in Weyburn and pursued a career in teaching. She taught at Mount Joy School where she met Leon a young farmer whom she married on September 28, 1946 in Ogema. Leanna, Greg, Steven, Yvonne, Kevin and Cameron were all raised on their farm near Glasnevin. Later in life Grandma lived in Weyburn working at the Met and in Group homes. Grandma was involved in Home and School as she valued education. She supported every aspect of her children’s lives whether it was sports, school, church, or friends. She was an active member of the Anglican Church and was involved in Church activities like the Fall suppers in the Parish Hall. Grandma was also involved in the Ag Society, Wheatland Senior’s Centre, and Superannuated Teacher’s. She enjoyed visiting and playing cards with her friends at the Drop-In Center, Sunshine Villa and Pangman Care Home. Family reunions and Grandma and Grandpa’s celebration of 50 years of marriage were special times for her as she loved when the family could get together.

Grandma meant many things to many people and we all have our own memories of her:

David’s first memory is of the Colouring Contests between he and Colleen, the winner would receive an ice cream cone, Grandma was the Judge and the contests always ended in a tie. The second memory that David would like to share is his fondness for Grandma's Apple Pie. When Grandma would come to Edmonton for a visit, the first thing on David’s agenda was a trip to the Grocery store to stock up on apples and other secret ingredients for a pie making festival. He cannot recall what if any actual secret ingredients were used, but those are his favorite Apple pies, that all others are measured against. He would always try to get Grandma to make enough pies to fill the freezer so they would last until she came back to visit again.

Over the years we’ve been told that Grandma Leonard was a huge help to Greg and Carol while they were busy working and raising four little kids, there were many good memories. Carol remembers Grandma used her own money and paying monthly so that we could have a set of encyclopedia and Childcraft in our home. Carol also remembers that when she married Greg, Grandma understood that she could not call her “mom” and when Colleen was born Grandma said, “Now you’ll be able to call me Grandma.”

Colleen’s memory was that Grandma's garden was the dictionary and she passed on her love of words and books to her grandkids. She remembers her being happiest when she worked at the library in Weyburn or sitting at the kitchen table listening to CBC radio and doing a crossword. She always encouraged Colleen to read the classics and she never threw a game of Scrabble, it was serious business. Spending time with her and our holidays at the group home in Weyburn was a special experience where Grandma opened up a world of understanding and caring for others. Then there was her fun closet full of hats and high heels and her nail polishes and orange lipsticks that always made it dress up time when we went to Grandma's.

Kara remembers Grandma showing her how to paint my fingernails. You only use three strokes, one down the middle and then one more on each side of the nail. Kara also remembers Grandma scratching her head with those long fingernails and how good it felt. Kara recently found a head scratcher at the dollar store and it feels good but doesn’t compare to Grandma’s nails.

Richelle’s memory is watching Grandma paint her long nails bright red and clicking with her knitting needles while taking a break to smoke her Craven M’s. This then led Richelle to collecting Grandma’s old cigarette cartons to fill with her crayons so she could imitate her Grandma. Avery remembers Grandma as the Puzzle Lady.

Stuart remembers Grandma telling him at the hospital that she wants to leave him all the money. But seriously, he remembers when Grandma always made Grandpa and him a specialty sandwich of toasted Velvetta and Spam Ham.

Abby remembers going to the home in Pangman to visit and play Bingo with Grandma Leonard to win pennies, Abby has also taken on the love of owls and has started her own collection. Kaden’s favourite part of visiting at Grandma’s was checking out her spoon collection and recording his voice on her motion sensor frog.

Steve remembers how important reading was to his mom, and the love of reading that she instilled in him.

Marc and Andy remember Grandma reading Grimm’s Fairy Tales. The first time Andy stayed overnight at Grandma and Grandpa’s farm, they had to drive him back to Regina in the middle of the night.

Ellie’s first memory of Grandma is on first meeting her, Aunt Ellie had not met all the family yet and Grandma told her about everyone by showing her their pictures on the wall of the house. She was very proud of her Scottish roots.

Yvonne appreciated Grandma and Grandpa’s support as they came to our home to welcome each of their daughters into this world. Aimee says her special memories of Grandma are going for walks in Weyburn with her when she was little, walking on the concrete walls and climbing trees. She would take Aimee to the toy lending library, She knit dolls for the girls. She let all of the girls dress up in her clothes, hats and shoes. She always remembers Grandma wearing orange and loving owls. Grandma always made an effort to keep in touch and write letters. Yvette said she liked that Grandma would always hold our hands whenever she was talking to us.

Kevin remembers driving Grandma around while she had broken wrist and he only had his learner’s license.

Barb remembers hours of Spite and Malice, Spill N Spell, Scrabble and Upwards; helping each other make words, and looking words up in the dictionary for each other.

Kyle remembers sitting on a stool at the counter in the Weyburn Met when Grandma worked at the restaurant there. She also used to take Kyle to the library, and the splash pool near her apartment. As he grew older they shared the same interest in genealogy.

Travis remembers trips to Amulet and Ogema cemeteries with Grandma, and trips to clean the Amulet Cairn. Grandma felt it was very important to remember the past, and took these opportunities to share stories with her family.

Adam remembers Grandma and Grandpa taking him to the Circus in Weyburn, and having cotton candy.

Cam remembers when he and Kevin were young and involved in sports she always made sure they were there. Grandma was always available to come to Regina and take care of the kids whenever they needed, for example in 1991 Uncle Cam and Holley went to Vegas to be Married and Grandma came and looked after Camille, she was always there when each of the kids were born.

Holley remembers that after Grandma left from a visit, all the mending and sewing had been taken care of, which they said they usually left out in plain sight as a subtle hint.

Other memories that many of us share include the Leonard Macaroni she made every special occasion, the smell of ashtrays, watching the ashes grow in length on the end of her cigarette before she tapped them off, the Calligraphy she did for special gifts or occasions, her knitting, crocheting, petit point, sewing, square dancing, bridge, penmanship, and of course the many stories she told.

Thank you Grandma for the memories.

Margaret Mary Leonard late of Ogema, Saskatchewan passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the age of 87 years.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Leon Leonard; parents, Jessie and Sarah McRae

Margaret is survived by her family of six children, Leanna (William) McBride of Spruce Grove, AB and their children, Ronda & David; Greg (Carol) of Ogema, SK and their children, Colleen (Dimitri), Kara (Trevor), Richelle (Jas) and Stuart (Tanya); Steven (Ellie) of Regina, SK and their children, Marc & Andrew; Yvonne (Steve) Mitchell of Caronport, SK and their children, Aimee (Chris), Yvette & Stephanie; Kevin (Barbara) of Ogema, SK and their children, Kyle (Michelle) Travis (Michelle) and Adam; Cameron (Holley) of Regina, SK and their children, Camille, Jesse and Alysha; great grandchildren, Abby, Kaden, Avery, Téah, Londyn, McKenna, Tyler, Jordan, Aidan, Bronté, Nicolas, Brooklyn and Talia; one brother, Murdoch McRae; two sisters, Jen Webb and Georgie Webb as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service was held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. from the Ogema Legion Hall, Ogema, Saskatchewan with Reverend Isabella Frank officiating. The interment was held on Friday, April 15, 2011 at 10:30 AM at Green Acres Memorial Gardens, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. For friends so wishing, donations in memory of Margaret may be made to the Pasqua Palliative Care Unit, Pasqua Hospital, 4101 Dewdney Ave Regina, SK. S4T 1A5.

Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn, SK. (306) 842-5432