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Memorial
Marguerite Stephenson Tuesday, November 07, 1922 - Sunday, December 27, 2009 Marguerite Stephenson was the third daughter of Jenny Belle McKee and Gordon Brown and was born in Brigden, Ontario in the Victorian home over Brown’s General Store, which was the family business for two generations.
Marguerite graduated from the Petrolia High School and studied nursing at Sarnia General Hospital, becoming a registered nurse in 1944. That year she married teacher Ross Stephenson, who died shortly after their fifty sixth wedding anniversary in 2000. Their two daughters Ann and Carol were raised in Petrolia.
As a family they were active in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, where Marguerite taught Sunday School, was a member of the Ruth McLean Auxiliary and Ross was an elder. Marguerite continued her faithful support of the church and lived her last years at Queen Victoria Place, built on the site of the Presbyterian manse. The Lion’s Club was another focus of their lives and they enjoyed many trips to conventions around the world with fellow Lions or retired teachers.
Marguerite was also active in the Nurses Association and treasured the many friendships formed while working at the Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital.
Her former patients remember her skill as a nurse and their families remember her great compassion. She did not confine her caregiving to her nursing career. She cared for her friend and neighbour, the late Louise Polley, her cousin Vera Dykes and many other family members in their elder years or in times of crisis. She found it difficult to be in need of care herself , but accepted graciously the loving care bestowed on her by hospital staff in Petrolia and recently at Lambton Meadowview Villa, and by Mary O’Hara Hewitt who called on her daily and Janet Bradley. She was grateful for the many kindnesses of her neighbours at Queen Victoria Place.
She was an excellent gardener, and an extraordinary cook; she made clothes, curtains and hats, could upholster furniture, tile floors and finish furniture. She taught her daughters to dress well, stand up straight, and waste nothing. She was a beautiful, stylish and practical woman who worked hard, enjoyed her life and had a good sense of humour.
She is mourned by Carol Stephenson and Ann Cowan Buitenhuis and grandchildren, Juliana and Adrian Buitenhuis, and her sister Mary Margaret Capes. Her sisters Jean Reynolds and Betty Millward and brother Douglas Brown predeceased her. Although memory failed her in recent years, she retained fond thoughts of her cousin Bill Young and niece Dixine Sullivan.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of the NEEDHAM-JAY FUNERAL HOME, Petrolia, Ontario (519) 882-0100. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Thursday, April 1, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Memories and condolences may be sent on-line at www.needhamjay.com Funeral Services:
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Queen Street, Petrolia
Thursday, April 01, 2010
11:00 AMMemorial donations may be made by cheque to the C.E.E. Hospital Foundation or the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
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