MARGARET ILEEN MCFAYDEN

Surrounded by family, Margaret Ileen McFayden, 84, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2009 at Rainycrest Long Term Care in Fort Frances where she resided for the past seven years.
Mom was born on September 22, 1924 in the rural farming community of Hamiota, Manitoba to the late William and Dorothy Brimacombe. She was the youngest of five children.
In 1939, at the young age of 15, she moved to Fort Frances with the Matheson family. She lived and worked at the Hauk dairy farm in Crozier for a time, and at J.A. Mathieu’s store during the war.
Throughout her life, Mom worked at several local restaurants, most notably, The New Lunch Cafe.
When it closed she worked for a few years at the bus depot, and then for several years at La Verendrye Hospital in the dietary department from which she retired in 1988.
Mom was one of the first female Elders at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. She was a tireless worker for the church helping to organize rummage sales, Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day teas and the making of many turkey pies sold there. She was also a member of the Rainycrest Auxiliary for year of volunteering in the tuck shop and at teas. She delivered Meals on Wheels regularly too.
Mom was always involved in sports. She played women’s softball, was a regular bowler for years, and later she joined the curling club.
In 1947 she was united in marriage to Alex McFayden and together they raised three children, Jack, Diane and Danny.
She was dedicated to her family and always ready to give a hand when needed.
She helped coach boy’s hockey and girls baseball when needed. She was our greatest fan and always there to cheer us on in sports and life.
She was the most wonderful Nana ever and spent countless hours with her grandchildren and great grandchildren with sleepovers and fun times in “Nana’s park.”
Mom was a wonderful cook and was always making up batches of cabbage rolls and perogies for our freezers, and canning enough dill pickles for the whole family.
We thank you Mom for always being there, for making us feel warm, safe and loved.
She was predeceased by her parents, and by brothers Bob and Lloyd, and sisters Hilda and Dorothy.
She is survived by sons, Jack (Teresa), and Dan of Fort Frances; daughter Diane (Ken) Tetreault of Oliver, BC; six grandchildren, Krista Salchert-Johnson (Geoffrey), Steven Salchert, Jeff, Tessa, Scott, and Michelle McFayden; two great-grandchildren Johnathan and Jamie; sister-in-law Bonnie Watson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren: Krista, Steven, Jeff, Tessa, Scott and Michelle.
Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Margaret’s life at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, Ontario on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 10 a.m. with Pastor Diane Clifford officiating.
Cremation will take place at Rainy River Cremation Services in International Falls, MN. Internment will take place in Fort Frances Cemetery in Fort Frances, Ontario.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of Kenora/Rainy River District, Box 837, Kenora, Ontario, P9N 4B5, or in care of Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.mem.com.