Obituary of Margaret WOTSKE

WOTSKE, Margaret Marie (nee Dooling) July 23, 1926 – August 2, 2014, Margaret Wotske passed away peacefully in the Peter Lougheed Hospital on Saturday August 2, 2014 at the age of 88 years. She was born in Brownfield Alberta, attended Coronation High School and graduated from Garbet’s Business College in Calgary. She met Roy Wotske in Calgary and they were married on October 25, 1952. As well as her own three children, she was the loving foster parent of 20 children over a span of 16 years. She later worked for the Calgary Board of Education, Early Childhood Services for many years. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Rosemary Wotske, Carol (John) Luider and Joe (Janice) Wotske. She will also be sadly missed by her brother Lloyd (Theresa) Dooling and sister Elsie (David) Poile as well as her nieces and nephews. Margaret delighted in her grandchildren Heather (Mark) Strobert, Jennifer (Derek) Pryzner, Stephanie (Christopher) Ball, Pam (Geoff) Kallweit, Dan Wotske, Kyla Wotske and great grandchildren Jade Strobert, Evan Pryzner and Ellie Kallweit. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Roy Wotske, parents Ora and Anna Dooling, her siblings Sister Bernadette Maxfield and George Dooling. Margaret selflessly gave her time to many over the years. She deeply loved each of the foster children which she cared for and after 16 years found that she could no longer continue because it was too difficult to part with them when the time came. She loved to get the family together for family meals and celebrations and there was always lots of great food. When she could no longer cook for so many, there were the Sunday Hotel birthday brunches to get the family together. She and Roy were always eager to spend time with the grandchildren and enthusiastically joined her daughter, Rosemary, in the creation of an organic vegetable farm called Poplar Bluff Organics. She helped make and sell at farmer’s markets many thousands of jars of jams, jellies, pickles, and chutneys. She especially loved trying new and different recipes. Margaret loved to sew and created everything from lovely quilts and draperies to Barbie tents for the grandchildren. She also loved to play the piano and did so until her final days. In her later years Mom was intensely interested in social justice issues and was very active in writing letters to many politicians. The family was often engaged in discussions regarding the plight of the poor and powerless in other parts of the world, encouraging us to sign petitions and write letters. Margaret’s faith helped her to face her many health challenges with hope and determination. She loved to be included in many groups at Canadian Martyr’s Church such as the prayer chain, Development and Peace, Bible Studies, The Divine Mercies Study group, the CWL and others. She felt very blessed by all her friends at Canadian Martyrs church who were so very kind to her. A memorial mass will be held at Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church (835 Northmount Dr NW) at 1:30 pm on August 21, 2014. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace www.devp.org. Condolences may be forwarded through www.hffs.com.