Margaret Clause

CLAUSE, Margaret Jane (nee CLOSE)
December 11, 1930 to July 22, 2018

“The MAKER OF LIFE has called me home.”

Although not as old as she had hoped to reach, Margaret passed over in the early hours of July 22, 2018 at age 87, with just so many jobs to finish yet! “When I am dead, my dearest, sing no sad songs for me.”  Born December 11th, 1930, to John Hamilton Close and Olive Brown Parkinson, she lived in Garnet until her marriage to the son of Joseph & Margaret Jane (Ince) Clause on April 11th, 1953 at Rev. Melchie Henry’s home to the late Charles Donald Clause (1928-2001). Shortly thereafter, Margaret and Chuck moved from Hagersville to Garnet, established roots and raised their family of six - five daughters & one son. She taught elementary school for 36 years in the local Walpole area, 1951-1956 at #14 Springvale, 1956-1957 at #11 Garnet, 1958-1965 at  #19 Lower Garnet, and 1965-1988 at Walpole North. Not to be outdone by Stokey, a family friend, whose license plate was personalized, she acquired a simple one to remember - MARM 11. She appreciated when long-time close family & friends from her youth used the favoured nickname of Marm. In the very late years of her life, she loved to hear ‘Maggie Jane’ from Lea & Jessie.  Margaret was a greenhorn historian, a rapid reader of thick books, a photography buff for many years and a gardening nut, even selecting the public roadside for her Daffy-Down-Dilly Garden! Her family, gardens, photography, genealogy and love of books gave meaning to her life.
 
Mother of Dawne Lorraine Cowan (companion of George Best); Brenda Kaye (Peter Borsellino); Charles Patrick (Cheryl Schweyer); Charlene Lynne (Howard Williams); Margaret Cheryl (Trevor McIntyre); and Gwenyth Ann (Allen Wippel).
 
May her lengthy life be a blessing, making for many memories among the grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was Grandma Clause to 12 grandchildren, Todd Cowan (Deanna Casey; Brandi Martin), Brandon Cowan (Danielle DesLauriers; Sharon Brooks); Mathew Cowan (Trudy Montour; Brandi Martin; Vicky); Joshua Borsellino, only son of Brenda & Peter; Pat & Cheryl’s three daughters, Cassandra, Courtney & Caitlin Clause; Charlene & Howard’s two girls, Lea (Mike Temple) and Jessica (Cory Robertson); Michael McCarthy & his spouse Christine (Roloson), and only son of Margie; Lindsey Briggs-Clause (daughter of Wendy & the late Robert  Briggs) and Keisha Wippel, daughter of Wendy & Al.
 
Great Grandmother to 15: Ethan & Ayden Cowan (Todd & Deanna); Keylin & Aislyn Cowan (Todd & Brandi); Rain & Hailey Cowan (Brandon & Danielle); Little Mathew Monture-Cowan, Aisha Martin, Tycie Cowan (Big Mathew’s children); Luke R. E. Robertson (Cory & Jessica); Owen Michael John & Tenley Anne McCarthy (Michael & Christine); Cullen M. & Sloane R. Rickard (Lindsey & Chris).
 
After the 1938 death of his wife Olive (O.B.), Margaret’s Dad raised his four daughters - the youngest, Anne (then at age two) to Marm, the eldest (at age seven) - with the help of housekeepers (especially Ella Lishman & Dorothy Phillips Simington) & loving Aunts & Uncles - Margaret & Ivan Parkinson; Minnie & Wray Parkinson; Evelyn & Roy Parkinson, plus Aunt Jean Smith (Roy Smith). By 1944, Juney & his girlies were ‘on their own.’ In 1962, Daddy brought Grace Fern Ratcliff into the family. Gram embraced this large family and his girlies were delighted. Because of this 2nd marriage, Daddy's grandchildren were also semi-adopted by Grace's co-partner (Beckliffe Private Hospital, Hagersville) Auntie Madge Beck (Virge Dyer).
Her sisters - Kathleen Olive (John)Varga, Lorraine Caroline (the late Bernie) McCarthy and the late Jean Anne (Bill) Carpenter - the four CLOSE sisters were treasured friends, being together, comforting each other, applauding successes, listening to dreams, sharing early memories, loving & caring for each other deeply.
 
Also Cousins Charlie Close of Bracebridge; the late Jean (Parkinson) Adamovich of Waterford, the late Joyce (Parkinson) McCarthy and their brother, the late David Parkinson. She leaves numerous Clause, Close,  McCarthy, Carpenter, and Varga nieces & nephews.
 
To celebrate Margaret’s life & her homecoming, on a warm summer day in Garnet United Church Cemetery (date to be announced) a gathering for family & friends will be held to commit her ashes. As a memorial, donations to Garnet United Church or to a local food bank, would be appreciated by the family. “It was my season to leave these earthly things and go home. Recall please the comical, the tender, the ridiculous, my beliefs and loves. Even share a few chuckles about certain idiosyncrasies of mine! Written to my children, to my grandchildren and to my great grandchildren, to my sisters, my two brothers-in-law & sister-in-law, to my nieces & nephews; and to my dear friends. Charlie, I’ve crossed over to join you.”
 
And just at the moment
when someone says “She’s gone,”
there are other eyes watching for
her coming and other voices ready
to take up the glad shout
“Here she comes!”
 
This was penned by Margaret herself.  She would ask only for a few tears, a handful of memories and thoughts of Love, all helping to speed her soul’s journey.
 
 


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