My Almost Forgotten Aunt Maggie

 

My brother invited me to come with him to visit the grave of our aunt Margaret (always called Maggie).

Maggie died in Stettler, Alberta in 1936 aged 26. Her husband and children are now deceased as well, There is probably no one alive who knew her personally. She is almost forgotten.

She was the closest of Dad's siblings in age and his closest friend among his siblings. He was shaving on a Friday when he received the shocking news of her death. For years he would avoid shaving on a Friday because it brought back the painful memory. The song "When You and I were Young Maggie" would bring tears to his eyes. 

Mom kept a special place in her heart for this sister-in-law that she had never met. And when Mom passed at age 98, she left some money in her estate to put a headstone on Maggie's unmarked grave. This has been done. (Thanks Mom.)

On August 21, Lloyd and I set off to visit Maggie's grave and view the new headstone. While we were there I offered a prayer at her grave. My brother and I reflected on the lives of Aunt Maggie and her family. It was a special time. (Maggie, we never met you, but your life is remembered.)

In Memory of Margaret Isobel "Maggie" McCALLUM (Buchanan)

Mar 7, 1909 - Feb 13, 1936