Margaret Helena FRASER

GAUTHIER: Margaret Helena 1919 - 2007 Mrs. Margaret Helena Gauthier (Stokes, Fraser), of the Wintering Hills District, north of Hussar, passed away in Drumheller on January 10th, 2007. Margaret was the matriarch of a loving family, who will miss her deeply. Margaret was born on July 10th, 1919 in Fraserton, Alberta, located northeast of Homestead Coulee, in the Lone Butte area. She and her brother, Robert, were the only two people ever born in Fraserton, as their father, Robert Ross Fraser homesteaded there and opened a store and post office, and wed Margaret’s mother, Jossa Helena McCullough (Broe). The family grew by two sisters, Sharen and Karel, but left the homestead at the beginning of the depression, and moved to Vancouver where Margaret attended high school during the 30’s. Margaret married the love of her life, George Stokes in 1941, and moved to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. They had a son, Martin who did not survive childbirth, and in 1944, another son Darrell, whose family now runs the farm near Hussar. Margaret was widowed 3 months later when George was killed in a logging accident. She moved back to Vancouver where she raised her son and looked after the rest of her younger siblings. She worked in Vancouver for many years, and met Almon Gauthier in the late 50’s. The two of them decided to move to Alberta in 1961, buying a half section northeast of Hussar. Two years later, they moved six miles further north where the farm is today. Margaret and Al were married in 1963, but Al passed away in 1968. Margaret ran the farm on her own, with help from wonderful neighbours and hired workers, until 1976 when Darrell and Amy came to help out. She loved the work, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from farming and doing what nobody thinks is possible. She was a remarkable person…wife, mother, grandma, neighbour, whose sense of family and community affected all who knew her. Margaret was recently predeceased by her brother Robert (Bev) Fraser and sister Sharen Smith. She is survived by her sister Karel (Roy) Lindberg of Florida, son Darrell (Amy) Stokes of Hussar, grandson Gordon (Jennifer) Stokes of North Vancouver BC, granddaughter Rosana (Kurt) Weidenbacher of Hope BC, grandsons Garrett and Travis Stokes of Hussar. Greatgrandchildren Melina, Brynn and Angelica Stokes and Caleb and Christopher Weidenbacher will always remember “Gramma Gauthier”. There will be a social gathering to remember Margaret, and reminisce about the remarkable life that touched so many people. The gathering will be held in the Hussar Hall at 2 pm January 26, 2007. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation, in Margaret’s memory, may do so to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Drumheller Health Centre, Continuing Care Recreational Therapy Garden, 351-9th Street NW, Drumheller, AB, T0J 0Y1. Courtney-Winter’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with arrangements.