Margaret Elizabeth (Alton) Allan

Margaret Elizabeth Allan (nee Alton) 1939 – 2019.  It is with great sadness that the family of Marg Allan announces her passing on Thursday, October 31st at the Portage District Hospital at the age of 80. 

Marg was predeceased by her parents, Ernie and Florence Alton; brother Wilfred Alton; sister Mary Tomchuk and brothers-in-law Lyall Stone and Perry Allan.

Marg was a devoted wife to husband Beverly for 61 years and mother to Brent and Debbie; grandmother to Kalyn and Calista and great grandmother to Lily.  She leaves as well to mourn, her younger sister Barb (Victor) Satkunas, sisters-in law Roberta Stone and Nancy Allan (Neil Carleton) and brothers-in law Wilbur Tomchuk and Robin (Maria) Allan, as well as many nieces and nephews. 

Marg was born on May 22nd, 1939 in Portage La Prairie and was raised in Katrime Manitoba, where her parents owned the general store.  She was the second oldest of 4 children.  She went to a one room school in Katrime and later boarded with a family in MacGregor to attend high school.  It was here that she met and married (April 25, 1958) the love of her life, Beverly Allan and raised their two children, Brent and Debbie.  Marg was incredibly versatile and not afraid of any challenges.  In the early years of her marriage she learned how to do the bookkeeping for Allan’s Transfer and eventually took full charge.   She also worked part time in the MacGregor Drug Store and/or Post Office.  On days when another driver was needed could also be seen behind the wheel of an Allan’s Transfer truck. 
In the early sixties, they set down roots in MacGregor and bought an acreage just outside of town.  They built the house that became their family home to this day. 
In 1968 she started driving a school bus for the Pinecreek School Division.  She loved driving so much and had a special rapport with the kids that she continued on for 42 years.  She always spoke highly of the kids as if they were a part of her own family.   She took pride in her job as indicated by the fact that she always had the cleanest school bus in the Division. 
It was her love of driving and her perfect driving record that led her to teaching Drivers Education and eventually becoming a Defensive Driving teacher.  She spent more than 11 years travelling around Manitoba, teaching others while at the same time meeting many people, some of whom became lifelong friends. 
Marg and Bev shared a passion for antiques and in the 80’s turned it into a business.  They spent many hours in their truck, travelling throughout the Midwest USA and the prairies searching out items they could refinish in their shop. If they weren’t travelling, Marg could usually be found working alongside Bev, restoring a piece of furniture.  The only time you didn’t find the two of them together was when she was out with the bus.  Marg had a special eye for china and glass; she always knew if there was a piece she really wanted, Bev would make sure it went home with them.  Their travels brought them much joy and many friendships. 
Marg never sat idle.  She was involved in many aspects of the community including singing in the  MacGregor United Church choir,  teaching Sunday School and volunteering at the Community Center.  She always had a knack for crafts as well as a green thumb.  In the winter months you might find her knitting a sweater in her favourite chair but she lived for the summers when she could be outside enjoying her gardens and the beautiful yard she and Bev created over the years.
In 1988, her first granddaughter was born and this was the beginning of a new love.  She always treasured the time she got to spend with her two granddaughters, Kalyn and Calista and knew she was blessed to be as close to them as she was.  When Marg met her great granddaughter Lily in 2017, her face lit up the room like the sun.  She couldn’t have been happier which is just another indication of how big her heart was. 
She always had a love for animals.  She adopted and cared for many dogs and at one point could even be found with a dog in her purse.  However, her most special fur baby for the last 11 years was “Finny”.  He was a constant friend who brought comfort to her, right up until her final day. 
Marg loved family gatherings. We will miss her contributions to future family pot luck suppers: mincemeat tarts, peanut butter squares, snowballs and of course her jellied salad.  You could always hear her laughter, even if it was from another room. 
Marg was special in that she always had a smile on her face.  She lived her life by the rule of “no regrets”.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 Saturday, November 9th, 2019 at the Beaver Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, if friends so wish, donations can be made to the Manitoba Alzheimer’s Society, 10-120 Donald Street, Wpg. R3C 4G2 or the MacGregor Personal Care home.
 

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