March 1,1925 – July 31,2014. On Thursday, July 31,2014, in her 89th year, cradled within the arms and prayers of her family, Minnie Margaret Burch died peacefully at The F.J. Davey Home.
SShe had been pre-deceased by her spouse, Howard Burch, her infant son Michael, her parents Margaret and William Rumley, her sisters Janet Sigurdson, May Radford, Yvonne Vardi, Nelda Armstrong, and her brothers Orton, Roy, and Jim Rumley .She is survived by her one remaining sister, Sheila Marshall, and her family as listed below. We know that Mom will always be watching over her many nieces and nephews, her seven children and their spouses, her 22 grandchildren, her 34 great grandchildren, and her 6 great-great grandchildren: SHANNON (John) MCLEOD: Erin McLeod, Scott (Shannon) McLeod>Alistair, Liam. MICHAEL BURCH (Deceased). DIANNE (Norbert) WAGNER: Michael Dickson (Jennifer)>Tanya >>Maddison, Mackenzie, Schyler. >Kristina >>Andrew. Wendy Wagner Hubley (Bud Pelkowski) >Lacey >>Lucy, > Daniel Hubley. Dwayne Wagner (Tam) >Madison, Hunter. RANDY BURCH (Valerie): Shaune Lowry (deceased)>Sascha. Jessica (Mario) Porporo >Emma, Ella, Charlie, Henry. (Shirley Morely): Obadiah David (Joslynn) Burch> Mya. Joseph Burch. Charity (Brett) Fleming >Felicity, Liliana, Logan. LINDA (Eric) THEISSEN: Laurna (Doug) Metherel >Nathaniel (Becky) >> Everett, Alannah. Tammy (Chris) Myatt > Philip,Clarissa. Shalleen Riley (Art)>Lukis, Thomas. Shawna (Dominic) Ruscitti >Kelab, Serena. Jacinda Riley (Jason) >Joseph. John Riley (Melissa) >Lincoln, Canaan. Jennifer (Kevin) Clugson>Fletcher, Haily and Heidi. DAVID (April) BURCH: Alisha Burch, Andrew Burch >Marcus, Kendra. TRACEY ROETMAN (Paul Williams): Rachel (Mackenzie) Krick >Kayla, Emma, Hayden. Christie (Timothy) Mashinter. Heather Roetman. Leonard Roetman Jr.
All the angels in heaven will soon be wearing new socks, and there will definitely be daily consultations with “The Big Boy” about the “Song Of The Day”, as Mom carries her love of music and knitting into the Great Beyond.
Before suffering from a rare viral encephalitis while still in her early fifties, which compromised her cognition but definitely strengthened her spirit, Margaret had worked for many years in Obstetrics as a Health Care Aid. Coming from an extremely musical family, she sang beautifully and played the piano, violin, guitar, mandolin and harmonica. She also loved to write poetry.
Although usually somewhat bashful, Mom frequently broke into song, and was often invited to sing for her fellow residents at the Davey Home. Raised on and around the lighthouses of Manitoulin, she loved plants and gardening, marveled at every blade of grass, constantly collected special stones, and was especially fascinated by the sound and movement (bouncing) of trees and water. Following her significant brain injury she leaned ever -harder on her Lord, and her resourceful, uniquely creative and fiercely independent problem solving has continuously astounded and inspired us all!
We wish to thank the wonderful staff of Birch Lane 1, particularly nurse Penny Leishman who has been Mom’s own personal angel over these many years. We treasure as well the many dedicated P.S.W.’s, R.P.N.’s, R.N.’s, and especially the cleaning staff! Thank you so much for helping Mom “Just Be Mom”! A big thank-you to the hard-working women in the kitchen and laundry too! We so appreciate all who work to provide activities for the residents and we are grateful for the Chaplains who gently provide ongoing encouragement and spiritual guidance.
Our tender blessings are upon all those who give so freely of their time to work in the “Tuck Shop”. It is wonderful to have a place to gather for two hours every day to enjoy one another’s company. And let us not forget about the wonderful entertainment that is regularly provided, be it country or 60’s music, choirs, sing-a-longs or bingo. God Bless You All!
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, in Silver Water, on Manitoulin Island at 2 p.m., Monday August 11, 2014. Reverend Janice Frame officiating.
In Lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made through the Arthur Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (492 Wellington East, Sault Ste. Marie, P6A 2L9, 705-759-2522) in honour of the F.J. Davey Home Resident’s Council or to St. Andrews United Church in Silver Water.
Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.arthurfuneralhome.com.
