Margaret Whitehead THE PAS, Manitoba Obituary

Margaret Whitehead

Monday, January 7, 2013, Margaret Whitehead (nee Ross) passed away, with her family by her side, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, at the age of 58 years. Margaret was born Monday, April 12, 1954, at The Pas, Manitoba to Mary Potolicki. During her lifetime, she was raised by Reginald “Rusty” Monias, Granny Mary-Ann Monias, George Monias, and Jessie and Cyril Moore. Margaret grew up in Cross Lake, Wabowden, Mile 185 Thicket Portage, Mile 159 Odd Hill, and The Pas. She received her education at Margaret Barbour Collegiate in The Pas. On June 29, 1973 Margaret was united in marriage to Frank John Whitehead. Together Frank and Margaret had four children, Bruce, Charles, Charlotte, and Harley Whitehead. Margaret started working at an early age and worked in various businesses in The Pas, including Manitoba Telephone System, Dutch Drive-In, Starlite Drive-In Theatre, Timberland Trailer Court Convenience Store, Gateway Bakery, Parkers Grocery Store and The Pas IGA. Her last place of employment was The Pas IGA, where she was employed for 25 years. Margaret would still be working there, but unfortunately her sickness, ulcer active colitis, forced her to leave her job. Reluctantly, Margaret went on sick leave and she was saddened to leave IGA. Margaret made many friends, both co-workers and customers, and she considered them to be her extended family. She even referred to some of them as her children. Reflecting on her life, Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and auntie. As a wife, Margaret was Frank’s strength and his confidant. And even when apart, there was not a day that went by without speaking to each other, either by phone or text. Margaret told Frank, I love you. She was proud of her husband and was his biggest supporter. She was Frank’s public speaking coach and became the one, the first to listen to him draft his speeches and to hear about what was going on in the community and at the Legislature. As a mother, mom would encourage us and often told us, you can do anything you want to do and be whatever you want to be. She was full of pride, as she would tell others of our accomplishments, about our graduations and our sporting events. Mom supported us, never giving up on us, no matter how long it took, as long as it gets done, she would say. And she would make sure that she and Dad would accompany us on the many sporting events, just to make sure they would be there to cheer us on. Even dragged us to watch our aunties, with our Chargers t-shirts. As a grandmother, she would say, “Look, I have my kids once again.” She would often look at them, saying how much they would remind her of each of her kids. If you had the chance to visit Margaret, there would be at least one of her grandchildren beside her. She loved hearing them call her Grandma. And she would jokingly say that they were her biggest investments. As a sister, Margaret took the time to spend time with her siblings. Margaret would take her sisters along with her, even on trips. She was a big sister, who protected us in her way. There was one time, when the tire was flat, and her sister said, she got out of the car and changed the tire herself. When her mother would call, she was dependable and certainly went out of her way to help. Up until her recent sickness she would always minimize the extent of her illness so as not to worry or burden anyone. She made sure that her children and grandchildren knew her family. Margaret was thankful that when she had to leave for extended periods of time, she could call upon her siblings to look after her children and her home. In one point of time, Frank and Margaret also opened their home to others, John Paul, Paywahpun, Jessica and Quinton Martin. Her children’s friends would even find their way to Frank and Margaret’s home, and adopted one of their friends, Jamie Dick. KFC Friday’s were the reason why, she said, they didn’t even want to leave. Margaret was a remarkable person. She liked doing things on her own, and was her own handyman. She loved fixing her home and looking for a way to make her home more comfortable. When things needed fixing, she surprised others, as she would bring out her own tools. And when she could not do or fix things herself, she half-heartedly called the handyman to help. Considered a good friend, Margaret was special to those who knew her. She loved her coffee times with her friends, as Margaret always got an update of the latest news. No matter where they would go, laughter surrounded them and she would often had a way of teasing others. And she knew when others were in need, she would share her fortune with them. Our mother was adventurous; often sharing where she grew up and places she visited. She would laugh in her own little way, then say, you know what else I did? Her love of travelling would be continued, even in her later years, as Frank and Margaret would take their grandchildren on road trips. Get ready, she would call them, Grandma is coming to get you. Margaret did not shy away from learning new things and even surprised her husband when she learned to text, thanks to Desiree. Once she knew how to text, she would send daily messages, her way of checking up on others. Sometimes, she would send up to ten texts a day. She loved current events and followed what was going on nationally and internationally. Margaret was well aware of the political landscape in OCN, in Manitoba and in Canada, and at times, she would say, even before Frank knew what was coming down. She accompanied Frank when he traveled to Assembly of First Nations Elections. You could see Margaret in the stands, with her binoculars ready, watching everything that was going on. This summer was the first time, Margaret was unable to attend the AFN Election, however, her telephone calls, and texts she sent to her niece, ensured that Margaret knew what the news could not capture. Make sure you don’t miss anything, I expect a full report, she would say. There was a time when Frank was approached to enter political campaigns, it was at Margaret’s discretion. Even when asked to run for Grand Chief of MKO, Margaret reminded Frank, I don’t think that’s wise Frank, after all, Sidney is your relative. When she would go visit her relatives in Cross Lake, Margaret would tell them stories of her husband, her children, and her grandchildren, even her sister-in-laws, the Whitehead girls. Her cousins shared that she had a great sense of humor and she always made them laugh. And as an auntie, Margaret had her way to tell each of her nephews and nieces that she cared. I need to tell you straight, as auntie would say, who else will tell you? Geez, why do you do that, she would say then burst into laughter. And as the boys grew to men, she was proud to tell others of what her nephews would bring home after hunting or fishing. Margaret loved to tell how hard her nephews would work, to carry the boat, or how it took one shot to bring home the moose. Margaret will be missed by all who knew her. Her fearless spirit will always remain as a reminder to others of how Margaret lived. And when faced with her many health challenges, Margaret’s strength to fight, right up until the end, will be a testimony of her character and is to never be forgotten. Tell everybody, how much I loved them, is the message Margaret wished to leave with each of you. Margaret is survived by her husband Frank Whitehead; children Bruce (Judy) Whitehead, Charles (Amber) Whitehead, Charlotte (Ken Henderson) Whitehead and Harley (Michelle Constant) Whitehead; grandchildren Marcus, Robyn, Hayley, Presley, and Raven; JC (John Charles), Liam, and Payton; and Desiree, Lawrence, Trenton, and Ashton, Kalem; great-grandchild Baby Si “Booboots”; mother Mary Potolicki; brother Cyril (Nicole McKenzie) Potolicki; sisters Carol Potolicki, Eleanor (Joey) Cook, and Victoria (Cecil Passage) Potolicki; cousins Frances (Junior) Scribe, Florence Ross, and Cameron Ross, the Garrioch family; aunties Louisa Buck, Joslin Jackson; sisters-in-law Helen (James) Sinclair, Kathleen (Dennis) Whitehead, Millie (Ken) Delaronde, Olive (Moses) Beardy, Margaret Flett (Alex), Maureen (Don) Brown, Brenda (Norman) Nelson, Elaine Kadachuk; brothers-in-law Alvin Whitehead, Melvin Whitehead; godchildren Tricia (Sinclair) Dick, Tanner James Smith; extended family Marcella McGillivary. Margaret was predeceased by grandparents Mary-Ann Monias, George Monias; uncle Reginald “Rusty” Monias; adopted mother Jessie Moore and Daniel Ross Sr.; adopted son Jamie Dick; father-in-law John Charles Whitehead; mother-in-law Jessie (Budd) Whitehead; aunties and uncles Roger and Olive Carriere, Joe and Jessie Sinclair. If we forgot anyone, it was not intentional. WAKE SERVICE Thursday, January 10, 2013 Margaret Henderson Parish Hall, Church of the Redeemer Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB FUNERAL SERVICE Friday, January 11, 2013 1:00 pm Church of the Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB Presiders: Ven. Jim Sayese and Rev. Bruce Constant Music: Russell Cook Memorial Singers Scripture Readings: Jessica Martin, Ven. Jim Sayese, Cyril Pololicki, Tricia Sinclair Dick Eulogy: Shelley Sinclair and Jennifer Banhegy Tribute Song: Ken Henderson INTERMENT Emmanuel Cemetery, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB PALLBEARERS (JC) John Charles Whitehead Marcus Whitehead Lawrence Whitehead Liam Whitehead John Paul Martin Paywahpun Martin Quinton Martin Jessica (Martin) Ballantyne Paul Personius Jr. Duane Kadachuk Jarrod Whitehead Jeremy Sinclair Cameron Ross HONORARY PALLBEARERS Godchildren: Tricia (Sinclair) Dick and Tanner James Smith Bobbi-Faye (Whitehead) Sinclair Danielle Delaronde Former and present staff of The Pas IGA HONOR GUARD Cyril Potolicki If friends so desire, donations to the Canadian Liver Foundation – Manitoba Chapter, 210-375 York Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3J3 or to MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2010 Winston Park Drive, Suite 500, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 5R7, would be appreciated by Margaret’s family.
April 12, 1954 - January 7, 201304/12/195401/07/2013
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Obituary

Monday, January 7, 2013, Margaret Whitehead (nee Ross) passed away, with her family by her side, at St. Anthony’s Hospital, The Pas, Manitoba, at the age of 58 years. Margaret was born Monday, April 12, 1954, at The Pas, Manitoba to Mary Potolicki. During her lifetime, she was raised by Reginald “Rusty” Monias, Granny Mary-Ann Monias, George Monias, and Jessie and Cyril Moore. Margaret grew up in Cross Lake, Wabowden, Mile 185 Thicket Portage, Mile 159 Odd Hill, and The Pas. She received her education at Margaret Barbour Collegiate in The Pas. On June 29, 1973 Margaret was united in marriage to Frank John Whitehead. Together Frank and Margaret had four children, Bruce, Charles, Charlotte, and Harley Whitehead. Margaret started working at an early age and worked in various businesses in The Pas, including Manitoba Telephone System, Dutch Drive-In, Starlite Drive-In Theatre, Timberland Trailer Court Convenience Store, Gateway Bakery, Parkers Grocery Store and The Pas IGA. Her last place of employment was The Pas IGA, where she was employed for 25 years. Margaret would still be working there, but unfortunately her sickness, ulcer active colitis, forced her to leave her job. Reluctantly, Margaret went on sick leave and she was saddened to leave IGA. Margaret made many friends, both co-workers and customers, and she considered them to be her extended family. She even referred to some of them as her children. Reflecting on her life, Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law and auntie. As a wife, Margaret was Frank’s strength and his confidant. And even when apart, there was not a day that went by without speaking to each other, either by phone or text. Margaret told Frank, I love you. She was proud of her husband and was his biggest supporter. She was Frank’s public speaking coach and became the one, the first to listen to him draft his speeches and to hear about what was going on in the community and at the Legislature. As a mother, mom would encourage us and often told us, you can do anything you want to do and be whatever you want to be. She was full of pride, as she would tell others of our accomplishments, about our graduations and our sporting events. Mom supported us, never giving up on us, no matter how long it took, as long as it gets done, she would say. And she would make sure that she and Dad would accompany us on the many sporting events, just to make sure they would be there to cheer us on. Even dragged us to watch our aunties, with our Chargers t-shirts. As a grandmother, she would say, “Look, I have my kids once again.” She would often look at them, saying how much they would remind her of each of her kids. If you had the chance to visit Margaret, there would be at least one of her grandchildren beside her. She loved hearing them call her Grandma. And she would jokingly say that they were her biggest investments. As a sister, Margaret took the time to spend time with her siblings. Margaret would take her sisters along with her, even on trips. She was a big sister, who protected us in her way. There was one time, when the tire was flat, and her sister said, she got out of the car and changed the tire herself. When her mother would call, she was dependable and certainly went out of her way to help. Up until her recent sickness she would always minimize the extent of her illness so as not to worry or burden anyone. She made sure that her children and grandchildren knew her family. Margaret was thankful that when she had to leave for extended periods of time, she could call upon her siblings to look after her children and her home. In one point of time, Frank and Margaret also opened their home to others, John Paul, Paywahpun, Jessica and Quinton Martin. Her children’s friends would even find their way to Frank and Margaret’s home, and adopted one of their friends, Jamie Dick. KFC Friday’s were the reason why, she said, they didn’t even want to leave. Margaret was a remarkable person. She liked doing things on her own, and was her own handyman. She loved fixing her home and looking for a way to make her home more comfortable. When things needed fixing, she surprised others, as she would bring out her own tools. And when she could not do or fix things herself, she half-heartedly called the handyman to help. Considered a good friend, Margaret was special to those who knew her. She loved her coffee times with her friends, as Margaret always got an update of the latest news. No matter where they would go, laughter surrounded them and she would often had a way of teasing others. And she knew when others were in need, she would share her fortune with them. Our mother was adventurous; often sharing where she grew up and places she visited. She would laugh in her own little way, then say, you know what else I did? Her love of travelling would be continued, even in her later years, as Frank and Margaret would take their grandchildren on road trips. Get ready, she would call them, Grandma is coming to get you. Margaret did not shy away from learning new things and even surprised her husband when she learned to text, thanks to Desiree. Once she knew how to text, she would send daily messages, her way of checking up on others. Sometimes, she would send up to ten texts a day. She loved current events and followed what was going on nationally and internationally. Margaret was well aware of the political landscape in OCN, in Manitoba and in Canada, and at times, she would say, even before Frank knew what was coming down. She accompanied Frank when he traveled to Assembly of First Nations Elections. You could see Margaret in the stands, with her binoculars ready, watching everything that was going on. This summer was the first time, Margaret was unable to attend the AFN Election, however, her telephone calls, and texts she sent to her niece, ensured that Margaret knew what the news could not capture. Make sure you don’t miss anything, I expect a full report, she would say. There was a time when Frank was approached to enter political campaigns, it was at Margaret’s discretion. Even when asked to run for Grand Chief of MKO, Margaret reminded Frank, I don’t think that’s wise Frank, after all, Sidney is your relative. When she would go visit her relatives in Cross Lake, Margaret would tell them stories of her husband, her children, and her grandchildren, even her sister-in-laws, the Whitehead girls. Her cousins shared that she had a great sense of humor and she always made them laugh. And as an auntie, Margaret had her way to tell each of her nephews and nieces that she cared. I need to tell you straight, as auntie would say, who else will tell you? Geez, why do you do that, she would say then burst into laughter. And as the boys grew to men, she was proud to tell others of what her nephews would bring home after hunting or fishing. Margaret loved to tell how hard her nephews would work, to carry the boat, or how it took one shot to bring home the moose. Margaret will be missed by all who knew her. Her fearless spirit will always remain as a reminder to others of how Margaret lived. And when faced with her many health challenges, Margaret’s strength to fight, right up until the end, will be a testimony of her character and is to never be forgotten. Tell everybody, how much I loved them, is the message Margaret wished to leave with each of you. Margaret is survived by her husband Frank Whitehead; children Bruce (Judy) Whitehead, Charles (Amber) Whitehead, Charlotte (Ken Henderson) Whitehead and Harley (Michelle Constant) Whitehead; grandchildren Marcus, Robyn, Hayley, Presley, and Raven; JC (John Charles), Liam, and Payton; and Desiree, Lawrence, Trenton, and Ashton, Kalem; great-grandchild Baby Si “Booboots”; mother Mary Potolicki; brother Cyril (Nicole McKenzie) Potolicki; sisters Carol Potolicki, Eleanor (Joey) Cook, and Victoria (Cecil Passage) Potolicki; cousins Frances (Junior) Scribe, Florence Ross, and Cameron Ross, the Garrioch family; aunties Louisa Buck, Joslin Jackson; sisters-in-law Helen (James) Sinclair, Kathleen (Dennis) Whitehead, Millie (Ken) Delaronde, Olive (Moses) Beardy, Margaret Flett (Alex), Maureen (Don) Brown, Brenda (Norman) Nelson, Elaine Kadachuk; brothers-in-law Alvin Whitehead, Melvin Whitehead; godchildren Tricia (Sinclair) Dick, Tanner James Smith; extended family Marcella McGillivary. Margaret was predeceased by grandparents Mary-Ann Monias, George Monias; uncle Reginald “Rusty” Monias; adopted mother Jessie Moore and Daniel Ross Sr.; adopted son Jamie Dick; father-in-law John Charles Whitehead; mother-in-law Jessie (Budd) Whitehead; aunties and uncles Roger and Olive Carriere, Joe and Jessie Sinclair. If we forgot anyone, it was not intentional. WAKE SERVICE Thursday, January 10, 2013 Margaret Henderson Parish Hall, Church of the Redeemer Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB FUNERAL SERVICE Friday, January 11, 2013 1:00 pm Church of the Redeemer, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB Presiders: Ven. Jim Sayese and Rev. Bruce Constant Music: Russell Cook Memorial Singers Scripture Readings: Jessica Martin, Ven. Jim Sayese, Cyril Pololicki, Tricia Sinclair Dick Eulogy: Shelley Sinclair and Jennifer Banhegy Tribute Song: Ken Henderson INTERMENT Emmanuel Cemetery, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, MB PALLBEARERS (JC) John Charles Whitehead Marcus Whitehead Lawrence Whitehead Liam Whitehead John Paul Martin Paywahpun Martin Quinton Martin Jessica (Martin) Ballantyne Paul Personius Jr. Duane Kadachuk Jarrod Whitehead Jeremy Sinclair Cameron Ross HONORARY PALLBEARERS Godchildren: Tricia (Sinclair) Dick and Tanner James Smith Bobbi-Faye (Whitehead) Sinclair Danielle Delaronde Former and present staff of The Pas IGA HONOR GUARD Cyril Potolicki If friends so desire, donations to the Canadian Liver Foundation – Manitoba Chapter, 210-375 York Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3J3 or to MADD, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 2010 Winston Park Drive, Suite 500, Oakville, Ontario, L6H 5R7, would be appreciated by Margaret’s family.

Events

Jan
10
Visitation
Thursday, January 10 2013
06:00 PM
Margaret Henderson Parish Hall, Church of Redeemer
695 Kiche Maskanow
OPASKWAYAK CREE NATION, MB R9A 1K5
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail
Jan
11
Service
Friday, January 11 2013
01:00 PM
Church Of Redeemer
695 Kiche Maskanow
OPASKWAYAK CREE NATION, MB R9A 1K5
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail