WEBSTER

On January 30, 2018, Margaret Webster (nee Ryan) passed away peacefully after a long and rich life at the age of 101. A resident of Hogarth Riverview Manor, Mom was born in Schreiber on May 16, 1916. She grew up there and began her cooking career at the YMCA, moving to Kenora after marrying her husband, Dan Webster. Later, they relocated to Fort William where she held various cooking positions, retiring as head cook at McKellar Hospital—a job she took great pride in. Mom had eight siblings and was a wonderful sister and aunt to her many nieces and nephews, she never forgot a birthday and kept her phone book handy beside her favourite chair so that she could call friends and family to stay in touch. In her retirement, she was the president of the residents' council at Manion Court and organized countless events, she had a knack for getting people to help as needed without being bossy. Mom was a wonderful grandmother to her granddaughters, Cindy and Michelle, providing love and encouragement and a steady supply of homemade treats, like chocolate cake, shortbread cookies, and cheese biscuits. She made everything with love and never skimped on the butter or sugar. But, most importantly, Mom always had time for her granddaughters and knew exactly what to say to make them feel special.

While she cherished her granddaughters, her five great grandchildren were her pride and joy. When her first two great granddaughters were born, twins Robyn and Alyson born to Cindy and Brian, Mom looked at them as though she had never seen anything so precious, "like living dolls," she would tell her friends and family. In 2001, Cindy and Brian welcomed their third daughter, Kathryn, who would become a kindred spirit to Mom, often staying behind to keep her company while her sisters went off to play. In 2003, Michelle and her husband, Darren, added a great-grandson to our family with the birth of Nathan and, in 2005, Sarah was born. "A millionaires family," Mom beamed with pride. Sarah and Nathan filled her room at Hogarth with love, and she spent many joyous hours being entertained by them.

A friend to many, Mom was kind and generous and had a playful sense of humour. But, she didn’t sugar coat her feelings, as the staff at Hogarth can attest to. Surviving Mom is her daughter Sadie Johnson (Ray) of Thunder Bay; granddaughters Cindy Roper (Brian) of Longview, Texas and Michelle McChristie (Darren) of Thunder Bay; great grandchildren Robyn, Alyson, Kathryn (Roper), Nathan and Sarah (McChristie); and sisters Patricia Cook (Canmore) and Anita Potentier (Victoria). She was predeceased by her husband, Dan, parents Charles and Celina, sisters Monica, Irene, and Agnes, and brothers John, Noel, and Frank. Thank you to the staff of Tulip residence who cared for Mom, to Judy for never giving up on the haircuts, and to the wonderful volunteers from Hospice Northwest. A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Should friends desire, donations can be made to Hospice Northwest.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Simpler Times Cremation Centre, 332 North May Street, Thunder Bay.