Mary Anne McGregor

In Loving Memory of
Mary Anne
McGregor
age 96
Mary Anne is lovingly remembered by her 
husband George, her children 
Helena (Burke), Glenn (Lorna) Michael (Linda),
Jim, Kevin (Florence), as well as their families. 

Died
February 21, 2019
Boundary Trails Health Centre

Funeral Mass
Monday, February 25, 2019
St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church  
Manitou, Manitoba
11:00 a.m.

Interment ~ Manitou Cemetery 

Donations in memory of Mary Anne 
may be made to Taber Home; 
450 Loren Dr, Morden, MB R6M 0E3. 

Mary Anne McGregor

Mary Anne McGregor, beloved wife of George McGregor, passed away on February 21, 2019 at Boundary Trails Hospital.  She was born on May 7, 1922 in Grawnes, County Cork, Ireland, and was predeceased by her parents Helena and Patrick Murphy, brothers Jim, Michael and Patrick and her sister Margaret.  She is survived by George, her husband of 72 years, her daughter Helena (Burke) Wilson and sons Glenn (Lorna) McGregor, Michael (Linda) McGregor, Jim McGregor and Kevin (Florence) McGregor; grandchildren David (Amanda) Wilson, Julie Wilson, Bruce Cooke, Marie McGregor (Kevin), Laurie McGregor (Sam), Steven McGregor (Sarah), Colin McGregor, Nolan McGregor, Katherine McGregor, Amy McGregor and Kim (Brock) Jansen as well as six great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters Eileen Hartnett, Delia Ryan and brothers Peter (Moira) Murphy, Brendan (Eileen) Murphy as well as many nieces and nephews.

Our mother was second oldest of nine children. She was raised on a farm situated in an area called Grawnes in the Beara Peninsula known for its spectacular views from high cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Trade restrictions at the time made life very difficult for the Southern Irish so to supplement the family’s income as a teenager Mom worked as a maid in the nearby manor homes built by the British. During the war she travelled to England to find work and she met George McGregor, a Canadian airman. When George shipped back to Canada he returned to Manitou and purchased a quarter section of land in the New Haven District. Mary came to Canada to join him. George converted to Roman Catholicism and they were married on May 10, 1947.

 With a family of 5 children (Helena, Glenn, Michael, James and Kevin) Mom and Dad worked hard to expand the farm. Mom missed her family in Ireland, but she made a new home in Manitoba. Their first house had a wood or coal burning stove with no forced air or running water and initially there was no electricity. To make the seven-mile trip to town it was often necessary to use the horses in the winter. The laundry and the many diapers were washed in a wringer washer and dried on a clothes line year round . Mom made most of the clothes for the children on her sewing machine and hand knitted socks, mitts and sweaters. The large garden provided fresh food in the summer and then harvested fruit and vegetables were canned in sealers for food during the winter. Mom helped hand-milk the cows and separate the raw milk on a hand cranked cream separator to provide an important bit of steady household money from the cream cheque . For them, for their neighbours, and for most of their generation, the life they built and accomplishments they achieved were founded on hard work and strong resolve.

In 1960 the family moved to a larger farm and a bigger more modernized house closer to Manitou.  There were no longer the requirements to make clothes for the children or hand milk cows, but Mom kept her huge garden. One of her young grandchildren nicknamed her “Grandma Digger” because of her constant gardening. Each year she won prizes at the Manitou fair for her entries in the clothing, flowers, vegetables and baking categories. With children no longer at home and their livestock sold Mom enjoyed travelling with Dad throughout Europe, the United States, Cuba and Mexico. She returned to Ireland many times to re-acquaint herself with her large extended family. After returning home from a trip Manitou was always proclaimed the best place to live of all the places visited. To Mom the wheat fields waving in the prairie breeze reminded her of the ocean she was familiar with as a child. The family spread out and moved away, but the grandkids were always eager to visit, and they were always assured of a loving welcome. She thanked God for her family and their health. Mom and Dad retired in 1987 and moved to Elks Place in Morden in 1996. In 2016 they moved to Homestead South.in Morden. 

The family will always remember Mom for beating her sons at cribbage, her strong will, her love of laughter, her boundless love and concern for her family, her love of her home and garden, the steadfast relationship with her soulmate and husband.

Donations in Memory of Mary Anne McGregor can be made to the Tabor Home, 450 Loren Drive, Morden, Manitoba  R6M0E3

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