SHAND: Margaret Elinor Shand (Neighbour) passed away on July 11, 2008, at age 72, after a courageous fight with cancer. She was born November 25, 1935 in Portage La Prairie; the only daughter along with five sons born to Thomas Neighbour and Elsie Hunt. Margaret's father was a railroad man and she spent her early years moving to many section houses in Sydney, Orthese, Tilston, and Rathwell. She loved the outdoors and winter was her favourite time of year as she enjoyed making snow forts and tunnels, ice skating and curling as she grew up. Margaret graduated school but she didn't enjoy it much and spent more than the usual amount of time playing hooky. Margaret was a nurse's aide, first working in a TB sanatorium after graduation, then in several hospitals. She worked as an aide for the Brandon Mental Health Centre from 1971 until 1991 when she retired for medical reasons. Margaret met the love of her life, Donald Shand in 1952, marrying in 1956, then raising a large family of five sons and one daughter. Margaret was active socially and was a member of the Elks Lodge and the Order of the Royal Purple. In her later years, she was a board member of the Compassionate Friends of South Western Manitoba, an organization which helped the family after the death of their son Sheldon in 1993 and in turn, she and her husband helped other families cope with the loss of a child. Margaret enjoyed the outdoors and loved spending time in her gardens raising flowers and her yard was the envy of the neighbourhood with the riot of bright flowers every year. She enjoyed bird watching and spent hours watching the birds at her bird feeders. Margaret particularly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren at Victoria Park in Souris and she enjoyed family vacations travelling throughout Canada and the USA. She enjoyed going to yard sales and in particular, attending fall fowl suppers throughout southern Manitoba. She was an avid crafter of dolls and was known in Brandon for her angels, Christmas mice and other dolls. Margaret loved music and especially enjoyed listening to her brothers play and sing Kentucky Bluegrass and Gospel songs. After 50 years of marriage, Don passed away from ALS in January 2006, an event which was emotionally devastating to her. With the help of her children and friends, she learned to adjust to life without her husband, only to be stricken with news that she had cancer. Margaret faced this new challenge with courage, determination and without fear and the end of her burden came peacefully. Margaret is survived by her sons: Delwin (Doris), Randy (Jennifer), Terry (Denise), Daryl (Val) and daughter Gwenda (Bob) Hearn. She is also survived by her brothers: Thomas (Joanne), Robert, Dennis (Carmel), Albert (Donna), and stepsister Florence. She leaves to grieve her passing 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a stillborn son, Daniel, in 1957; son Sheldon in 1993, brother Murdock in 2005, and husband Donald in 2006. The funeral service was conducted at Memories Chapel on July 18, 2008. Family friend Pastor Craig Gibbs officiated with Margaret's oldest son, Delwin giving the eulogy. The urn bearer was her oldest brother, Thomas with brothers Robert and Dennis and step-sister, Florence Foster as honorary urn bearers. Her youngest brother, Albert was the sash bearer of Margaret's Metis sash. Interment was at Rosewood Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to acknowledge special family friends - Lindsay Walker, a long time friend whom Margaret treated like a son and Rachelle Wilk, a spiritual advisor. The family wishes to express gratitude to the nurses of the Palliative Care Ward of the Assiniboine Centre who went 'above the call' in their care and support of our mother. In recognition of Margaret's many years of service with the Compassionate Friends, the family requests that any donations be made to Compassionate Friends of South Western Manitoba, 1321 13th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 4S5. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel.com. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel & Pre-Planning Centre, 727-0330. Memorials
Compassionate Friends of Manitoba