Obituary of Margot Patricia Forster

Margot Patricia Forster (Dunne) passed away peacefully at Carewest Sarcee Hospice, Calgary, on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006, aged 77, after a brave 14-month battle with lung cancer. Born on November 7th, 1928 in Houghton-Le-Spring, Co. Durham, England, Pat was raised in the village of Bishop Middleham, Co. Durham and graduated as a teacher. She married Frank in 1954 and lived in Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham as well as Banbury, Oxfordshire before moving to Calgary in 1988. To those in England, she was known as Pat or Patsy; to her friends in Canada, in her later years, she was known as Margot. To her three children, she was “Our Mam”. She was fiercely proud of her career as a teacher, attaining the position of Deputy Headmistress at St Marks and Elm Tree Infants schools. She had the special gift of enthusing young children with her dramatic story telling, savouring the stimulation of young minds and rejoicing in the accomplishments of her loved ones and of those whom she taught. She enjoyed socializing, accumulating a great network of friendships throughout her life wherever she lived and worked. She always had a warm welcome in her home for the many hungry teenage friends of Margot, Tim and Mick. She spent many a happy weekend and school holiday at her caravan in the Lake District with her family and friends. Patsy was very fashion conscious – a new designer dress or a stylish pair of shoes was greatly enjoyed. She expressed an abiding love for her adopted country, Canada. After moving to Calgary in 1988, she plunged enthusiastically into a hectic social life, and immersed herself in her crafts, which included miniatures, quilting, flower arranging and greeting cards, and in her bridge, always involving her many friends. She loved the water and the sun, be it her aquacise classes in her beloved pool, or annually escaping the Calgary winters to the beaches of Hawaii and to her trailer in Florida with her best friend in Canada, Doris, and to Mexico for family holidays. Four years ago, Margot moved into the Manors at Garrison Woods, where she was extremely happy with her many friends and her beloved dog, Toby. Throughout her life, she maintained, upheld and taught strong Christian principles and values. Pat is survived by her three children, Margot, Tim and Mick; as well as daughters-in-law Joan Dunne and Alison Dunne; brother Ronnie Forster of Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham; ex-husband Frank Dunne of Stockton-on-Tees, Co. Durham, with whom she retained a lasting friendship; and grandchildren Alex, Owen, Aidan and Amos (to Margot), Matthew, Naomi, Camille and Emma (to Tim), Rory and Niamh (to Mick); and step-grandchildren Shannon and Ashley (to Tim). “For when the One Great Scorer comes To write against your name, He marks not that you won or lost But how you played the game”. – Grantland Rice. “Daddy, she’s with the Angels now”. – Emma Dunne. A memorial service will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S, Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Wednesday August 9, 2006, at 2:30 P.M. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. Special thanks are due to Dr. Card and the staff of the Tom Baker Cancer Centre and the Carewest Sarcee Hospice. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 – 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: (403) 521-3433, or to the Calgary Health Trust – Carewest: Sarcee Hospice, 10101 Southport Road SW, Calgary, AB T2W 3N2 Telephone: (403) 943 – 0615, www.calgaryhealthtrust.org.. In living memory of Margot Patricia Forster, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.