Margaret Rose Avent (née Shewchuk)
Updated: 32 minutes ago
Born ~ April 15, 1942
Date of Passing ~ October 27, 2026
Marge died peacefully at home at the age of 84. Marge will be remembered for her incredible hospitality and timeless style.
Born in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Marge grew up on the family farm as the middle child of five sisters. Her early years were filled with the rhythms of farm life. Having only girls on the farm, she and her sisters learned every aspect of sufficiency - from putting up produce in the farm kitchen, to driving the truck and tractor, shoveling grain, tending animals and picking baskets upon baskets of strawberries. Through this lifestyle, she learned to appreciate the value of hard work and developed a lifelong love of gardening and enthusiastically sharing the bounty of the harvest. As part of rural life, Marge attended North Ridge Road School, a traditional one-room country school, followed by Portage Collegiate and Gordon Bell High School in Winnipeg.
After completing her education, Marge began her 47-year secretarial career. Her working life took her through several organizations, including Dominion Bronze, Air Canada, Herjac's Inc. in Dayton, Ohio, CAE Aircraft and Foster Advertising, before spending her final 19½ years of employment working at Dakota Collegiate. It was at Dakota that Marge found a particularly special workplace and community. Long after retirement, she treasured the friendships she made there with “The Dakota Girls” and fondly shared stories about life at the school involving administrators, teachers, support staff and students. In her retirement reflections, she thoughtfully articulated the remarkable evolution of office technology, from manual typewriters, carbon paper and shorthand to the computers and technology of her later years.
Marge met the love of her life, Ted through family and friends, and they spent many years as active members at the Winnipeg Canoe Club. The Club became an important part of their social lives, where they made many lifelong friendships and enjoyed countless good times. There were gatherings around the pool, badminton and squash games, and evening parties. They married in 1969 and welcomed their only daughter, Jackie, in 1979. Together, Marge and Ted shared 56 wonderful years, building a life filled with family, friendships, travel and adventure.
Marge and Ted loved to travel and explored many corners of the world together. Their adventures took them to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Mexico, throughout the United States and on numerous driving trips. They also travelled extensively in Europe, visiting Italy, Denmark, Sweden, England, France, Switzerland and Germany. One particularly memorable adventure took them on the train to Churchill with the Grey Cup, a trip they won. Marge and Ted’s sense of fun and romance never faded, and for their 50th wedding anniversary they renewed their vows in Las Vegas, with none other than Elvis himself officiating! Marge was a lifelong Elvis fan, and her affection for the King stayed with her right to the end. Just days before her passing, she attended a fundraiser with an Elvis impersonator, which she enjoyed with tapping toes and a smile on her face.
Marge and Ted built their home together on Kingston Crescent for 54 years. Through that time it was a warm and welcoming gathering place for family and friends. Marge took tremendous pride in her home and had a wonderful eye for decorating, creating beautiful spaces and setting an elegant table. Her timeless style and attention to detail made every occasion feel special. She was an exceptional cook who loved planning menus and preparing meals, especially epic holiday feasts on Christmas Eve - a much-loved family tradition. Her generosity extended well beyond the dining room table. She spent countless hours preserving the harvest from her gardens making salsa, pickles, jams, canned tomatoes and baking, always with plenty to share.
Together, Marge and Ted also took over the Shewchuk family farm, spending many weekends enjoying the property among the company of family and friends. Marge loved tending to the abundant vegetable garden, while also creating beautiful flower gardens and taking pride in the upkeep of the yard. The farm was a place for gathering, working together, sharing meals and enjoying the simple pleasures of country life. It was another place where the fruits of Marge's labour could be enjoyed by everyone, whether through fresh vegetables, homemade preserves or a meal shared around the table.
Marge had a genuine interest in the lives of those closest to her. She listened carefully, counselled thoughtfully and gave generously of her time and talents to those she loved. She remembered specifics, took an interest in what was happening and made people feel welcome and cared for by asking follow-up questions - often remembering every detail sometimes years later.
Predeceased by her husband Ted; parents, Alex and Jennie Shewchuk, parents-in-law Elsie Avent, Jack and Peggy Avent; sister Doris Young; sisters-in-law Cathy Liquorish, Janet Hvidt and Eloise Young-Tricky; brothers-in-law Lloyd Young, Mike Slukynski, Bob Matthews, Jim Liquorish and Ken McLeod; and nephews Alex Slukynski, Roy Bosman and Mark Liquorish. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Jackie (Tim Crouch), grandchildren Freddy and Marley, her sisters Eve Shewchuk, Joan Nichol (Harold), Phyllis Slukynski; sisters-in-law Betty Matthews, Mary Bosman and Leslie Anderson, and many nieces and nephews, extended family members and cherished friends.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Kevin Coates and Dr. Biniam Kidane who worked with Marge as her health needs changed over the years, using their gifts to add time and wellbeing to her life.
A celebration of Marge's life will be held on Saturday, November 14 at 1:30 PM - 603 Wellington Crescent. A link to the funeral Live Stream is available here: https://youtube.com/live/qq_XQ83tqTQ?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Elsie Avent Family Fund through the Winnipeg Foundation: https://rb.gy/61egp8
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