Obituary of Grace Elizabeth Magdalin

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Grace Elizabeth Magdalin (nee Muirhead) passed away October 31, 2018 at the age of 92. She was born January 12, 1926 in Gladstone, MB, the middle of 5 children. Married Ambrose (Amby) Magdalin May 12, 1944 in Winnipeg, and moved to Prince Albert, before making her home in Saskatoon to raise her 3 girls.  She was well known for having a listening ear, clean home, and strong work ethic. She enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, knitting, crocheting, and reading. Her family always looked forward to tins of Christmas baking. She had many friends that she kept in touch with through phone calls and writing letters. Grace enjoyed 5 pin bowling at King George and Fairhaven bowls. She had trips across Canada, Europe, and USA, and visited her children in Yellowknife, Whitehorse, Las Vegas, South Lake Tahoe, & San Diego. She lived in her home in Caswell Hill for 57 years, and moved into Villa Royale, and then Parkville Manor where she made many new friends at both. Grace started her nursing career before she turned 18 at a mental hospital in Portage La Prairie, and continued her career at the Provincial Geriatric Centre in Saskatoon. She retired from the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre after 35 ½ years in June 1991, after first working in the school area, and moving up to be supervisor over all the Nursing Assistants. She took runs on the “bunny bus” to transport children between the Centre and home, kids lovingly called her “Mag”.   She also joined the militia, 20 Medical Corp, and then the North Saskatchewan Regiment and was promoted to Warrant Officer in the pay office. She was proud to have her pay office rated top office for 5 years in a row, after they were inspected by Western Command.  She was the 1st female president of any Sargent’s mess at Hugh Cairn’s VC Armoury; she obtained the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and Canadian Decoration Medal. She spent 19 ½ years in the militia and was in 16 service BN when she retired. Predeceased by her parents David (Sandy) & Martha Muirhead (Pettit), siblings Ruth, Ed, Albert (in infancy), Tom, and Charlotte, her ex-husband Ambrose, friends Lee Cawley, Dave Fehr, Larry Kachanoski,  and son-in-law Barry Hamre. She will be lovingly missed by children Gerry & Reg Steers, Dr. Sky Magdalin, Betty Hamre (Grant Specht), grandchildren Candy (Mike) Hamre Wyka, Angela Hamre, Trevor Hamre (Kuljit Jaswal), and great grandchildren Mikayla, Braedyn, Jeffrey, Simratia, Bruenor, sister-in-law Lorraine Muirhead, good friend Laurie Cody & many nieces and nephews. A thank you to all the caring doctors, nurses and staff at St. Paul’s Hospital for their special care and making her comfortable during her stay. Celebration of her life will be officiated by Rev Deb Walker at the Saskatoon Funeral Home on Saturday November 10th, 2018 at 1:00. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Kinsmen Telemiracle.