Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth Fisher

FISHER: Margaret Elizabeth Fisher passed away peacefully at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Born the eldest of seven children, five girls and two boys, to Carl and Dorothy Scharff on January 5, 1922 on the family farm at Menteith, Manitoba. Margaret received her education at Forbes School and Hartney School, and graduated from the Brandon Normal School in 1940. Margaret taught one year at Elgin, one year at Earl Haig School in Brandon and two years at Minnewawa School where she met and married Travis Perry Fisher, son of Perry and Maude Fisher, in 1944 at the family farm at Menteith. They then farmed and raised their two boys, Dana and Mark, on the Fisher farm at Nesbitt, Manitoba. After raising her boys, Margaret returned as Principal to teach grades five to eight at Nesbitt School for two years. Dana and Mark farmed with their father until his death in 1996, when they took over the family farm. Margaret was always active in the United Church; she joined as a teenager, sang in many choirs, and was always a valued member of the UCW while attending church at Forbes Church, Nesbitt and at its closing, Wawanesa. Margaret joined the Hope Rebekah Lodge in Wawanesa and enjoyed many challenges and friendships for 15 years and then after moving to Victoria Landing, continued her relationship with the Lodge in Brandon. Music was always a large part of her life. Margaret played violin with the Scharff Family Orchestra. She sang alto in various church and community choirs, and in later years, she sang with "Maurice and His Mates," entertaining at various personal care homes. She was a member of the Souris Acapellas Ladies quartet, bass section for a number of years until it folded. Taught to sew as a child by her mother, Margaret sewed for her family and friends. She designed beautiful gowns for brides, bridesmaids, graduating students, there was very little she wouldn't attempt as seamstress extraordinaire. Her talent was recognized and appreciated, always keeping her busy and in demand. She enjoyed embroidery, beading and quilting in later years. How proud she was of her home surrounded by beautiful flowers of all kinds and always a bountiful vegetable garden. Horses were her first love, riding her own pony, Trinket, as a toddler. She raised Arabian and Half Arabian horses that she loved to show at local fairs. She influenced and encouraged a number of young girls to ride at these shows with her. Margaret was a founding member of the Manitoba Arabian Horse Association. A highlight in her life was a ten day trail riding trip in the mountains South of High River with her own horse and other members of the MAHA. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Travis, her parents, sisters Doreen, Melba (Jim) Wood, Ruth (Arthur) Batty, Roberta (Garfield) Jasper, sister-in-Law Irene (Claire) Scharff. Always remembered and never forgotten by sons Dana (Thelma), Mark (Linda), brother Claire Scharff, Donavon (Anne) Scharff, grandchildren Carmen, Perry (Tara) and great-grandchildren Parker Travis and Kate Audrey, extended relatives and a lifetime of friends. A celebration of Margaret's life was held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Harvey Hurren officiating. Interment followed at the Minnewawa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Margaret may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Unit 3-824-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 5B7.