Obituary of Margaret Mary Hildreth Cousineau

After a brief illness Margaret died, as she lived, with quiet dignity and grace. Margaret Mary Waterhouse Hildreth Cousineau was born on October 19, 1921 on her parent's farm south of Castor. She was the eldest of four daughters born to Herbert and Elizabeth Waterhouse. She attended Cowan and Corinne Country Schools before taking her high schooling in the old sandstone school in Castor. After graduating from high school she enrolled in Normal at the King Edward School in Calgary, where she obtained her teaching certificate. Margaret served three and a half years in C.W.A.C. (Canadian Women Army Corps) before returning to Castor. July 10, 1948, Fred Hildreth and Margaret were married and raised three children: Lily, Douglas and Graham. Margaret first taught in the country schools of Corinne, Sullivan Lake, Lauderdale and Paintearth before securing a position in the Castor School. She taught various grades but grade two was her favourite. Her entire teaching career spanned thirty years. She was a long time active parishioner of All Saints' Anglican Church as well as a life time member of the Castor Legion Auxiliary, Castor Ladies Book Club and I.O.D.E. Margaret was a passionate lover of books, card games, performing arts and an avid curling fan. She was always up for a game of Scrabble. She loved to travel and was fortunate to do so. Fred was tragically killed in 1981 after thirty-three years of marriage. Margaret married Harry Cousineau and they had twelve years together. Margaret then decided to move to Red Deer in 2002 and thoroughly enjoyed her home in Parkvale Estates as well as Parkvale Lodge, forming new friendships along the way. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Fred; son Douglas; sisters and brothers-in-law Velma and Bob Sutton, Lois and Fred Marsh and Harry. Left to mourn her passing is her family: daughter Lily (Breland); son Graham and three grandchildren: Rachel (Colin) Ballendine, Ryan and Daniel Breland. She also leaves her sister Joy (Jim) Ross; sister-in-law Alta Hildreth as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held at All Saints Anglican Church in Castor on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Red Deer Hospice or the Castor Museum for the Church restoration.