Janet Margaret Otto (nee Woolman)

     Passed away peacefully after a short illness at Seven Regions Health Centre, Gladstone, MB on July 25, 2008 – 20 days before her 90th birthday.

     Marg was born in Montreal, Quebec on August 14, 1918, the only child of John Woolman and Rebecca Harrington. Her childhood was spent moving around the country to places like St. John, NB, Walkerville, ON and Winnipeg, MB where her father was transferred while being employed with Ford Motor Company. In Winnipeg, Marg finished High School and went on to take a secretarial course. She worked many years for the Blue Ribbon Company in Winnipeg.

     Marg moved to Gladstone in 1949 to be close to her parents, after the death of her first husband Harold Tooke. She found employment in the law office of J.G. Crawford and started to get used to life in a small town. She met Arthur Otto through mutual friends and they were married in 1954. They had their only son, Donald John in 1956 and Marg became a devoted mother and homemaker at that point. Marg looked after her boys well and even though Don eventually made his home in BC, he was still the main interest in her life and she looked forward to his yearly visits.

     Marg loved the game of curling, and even after she had to give up curling herself, she still loved to watch it on TV. She was a Life Member of the Gladstone Curling Club, a Life Member of the IODE, a Life Member of the United Church Women of Canada, a Director of the Gladstone Agricultural Society and a faithful member of the Gladstone United Church. She also belonged to 3 bridge clubs and volunteered at the Museum. Marg was very accomplished at needle work and many of her nieces have examples of her work in their homes. Knitting was another great love and she was always on the lookout for a bargain in the wool department. She belonged to the Wooly Wizards knitting group for years. A lot of her knitting was donated to charitable organizations.

     Art and Marg were able to do some traveling – Art never really did retire from farming but continued to help nephews Ken and Tom Otto during the busy farming seasons. They spent a part of 3 winters in Texas and attended many World Curling events. They also traveled to visit friends and family in Canada and the United States.

     Marg is survived by her son Don and Audrey of Prince George, BC, grand-daughters Tamara and Robbyn, and great grandson Aiden. Also survived by sisters-in-law Mabel Otto of Gladstone, MB; Helen Otto of Drumheller, AB; brother-in-law Bob Otto (Fran) of Winnipeg, MB and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents John and Rebecca Woolman and her beloved husband Art in 1995.

     The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Poettcker for his care of Marg over the years. They would also like to acknowledge the care and support of the doctors and nursing staff of Portage General Hospital and Seven Regions Health Centre, Gladstone.

     Funeral service was held Friday, August 1, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in the Gladstone United Church with Rev. Ian Olive officiating. Interment followed in the Gladstone Cemetery.      If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Seven Regions Health Centre Palliative Care or the Canadian Diabetes Association.

     Clarke’s Funeral Home, Gladstone in care of arrangements.