By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
DUNNVILLE—The late Margaret Clark came to Dunnville in 1973 as a single mom ready to join the hospital staff and become an active member of the community. Before her passing just a few weeks ago, she showed a limitless capacity to give in her 76 years and will be remembered as a true champion of the town.
Margaret had previously worked in Huntsville and Nova Scotia. Her employer, Versa Food Services (now Aramark Canada Ltd.), typically moved people to new locations every two years. According to her daughter Kim, the hospital administration made sure she stayed because “they did not want to lose what they had.”
This assessment is confirmed by John Clarke, who worked with Margaret for over 30 years. He says, “Mrs. Clark was a stalwart at the hospital managing two departments, Food Services and Housekeeping. She oversaw the production of excellent meals made on the premises and enjoyed by patients, staff, and the community.” Housekeeping ensured the hospital was clean, reducing the chance of infection.
Anne and Paul Miron both worked with Margaret, remaining friends in retirement. They share that she always put the hospital, patients, and staff first, noting, “Any idea brought to her she took and ran with them, and most snowballed into events above and beyond anyone’s expectations…. She always went out of her way to assist with special events for the patients in the hospital.”
The cafeteria was decorated for special occasions with the food and even the patients’ trays reflecting the theme.
This attention to detail was appreciated, with lineups forming to get in for lunch and supper.
Anne says, “We are sure many remember the Christmas dinners, Thanksgiving dinners, and, most of all, the antics the dietary staff got up to, especially at Halloween, with Marg’s blessing. Her dedication to the patients and staff was obvious and it carried over in her staff, of which she was very proud.”
Along with a stellar professional reputation, Margaret was committed to her community. Kim says, “It seems every group in town she somehow touched…. She had connections for whatever she needed. ‘No’ wasn’t in her vocabulary and people didn’t say ‘no’ to her.”
When Margaret heard that there were hungry children at Dunnville schools, she used her food service experience to help initiate a nutrition and snack program. She was a founding member of the Child Nutrition Network (CNN), which grew from six student nutrition programs in Haldimand and Norfolk in 1998 to 45 today.
DUNNVILLE—Margaret with her granddaughter, Alexandra, and daughter, Kim at the 2017 Dunnville Fair. —Haldimand Press archive photo
Sharon Smyth of Haldimand-Norfolk REACH, the sponsor agency of CNN, speaks of Margaret’s impressive knowledge of the community as she brought her hospital connections to the network, “creating an innovative partnership that ensured student nutrition programs were able to grow and thrive in Dunnville. She had a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done perspective and had such a big heart with which to make a difference.”
Dorothy Richardson enjoyed working with Margaret at CNN and says her knowledge of food handling was an asset at fundraisers. She adds, “She had a great way about her that made her so great to work with.” Margaret was honoured for her contributions with the Haldimand-Norfolk REACH Merit Award in 2017.
Margaret is described as having been an active, engaged member of the Board of Directors of True Experience Supportive Housing and Community Work Program. Executive Director Sandie Heirwegh says, “She made many contributions and helped to connect me with other community groups…. Margaret always jumped at the chance to get involved with our annual United Way Car Wash/BBQ/Bake Sale. Her talent and love of baking pies was evident!”
The Dunnville Figure Skating Club benefitted from Margaret’s skills as an accomplished seamstress as she created costumes for the skaters. She was a 4-H leader, a dedicated member of Knox Presbyterian Church, and involved with the Dunnville Lifespan Centre, Dunnville Mudcat Festival, the Dunnville Music Festival, the Dunnville Chamber of Commerce, and the Farmers’ Market. Chamber member and former Mudcat Festival organizer Carolyn Chymko says, “Marg Clark was an icon of Dunnville and we will truly miss her.”
Margaret is perhaps best known for her work with the Dunnville Fair, as former Fair Board member Don Zynomirski says, “This seemed to be her passion as she guided it through 25 years running.” She was co-chair of the first committee for the Homecraft Department and held the position of President for many years.
Margaret’s passion was felt across the province as she worked with the Ontario Association of Agricultural Societies (OAAS) from 1999 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2016. She was the OAAS Homecraft President for 2006-2007. Diane Brooks Lang (Smithville Fair, Ancaster Fair) travelled the province with Margaret, attending fairs and taking memorable side trips together. She says, “Marg was very knowledgeable and mentored a lot of people through the fairs. She was an advocate for all fairs. On OAAS you are representing all the fairs in your district. The big fairs are always fun, but the smaller ones are unique – you would see Marg light up at the small ones…. Her influence will continue to be felt.”
Ancaster Fair member Sylvia Parr remembers Margaret as a tireless worker and perfectionist; when something needed to be done she made sure it was done. Parr recalls, “She always helped others achieve their goals by helping in any way necessary, from washing dishes to organizing a meeting. She was a person who I could call on to run things by. She would always be there to answer questions and support.”
Terri Mand (Rockton Fair) appreciated Margaret’s support of judging schools, saying, “She shared my passion of bringing skilled craftspeople to impart the knowledge necessary to judge … with confidence and precision.”
Margaret was also a competitor and Mand says, “She exhibited her sewing at Rockton Fair for years and set the bar very high for other exhibitors…. I respected Margaret and all her efforts with regards to making our fairs better. She was a true pioneer in the OAAS fair world.”
Catherine Redden, who was on OAAS with Margaret, shares these sentiments: “Margaret’s ability to assess a situation and find workable solutions to resolve it was of great assistance…. She was always just a phone call away when I needed advice. A lifetime of involvement with a wide variety of community organizations gave her the insight and wisdom that was needed to ensure the association was moving in the right direction.”
With this mindset, it is not surprising that Margaret was often involved with policies and governance. Her approach was direct – if there’s a challenge, how can we fix it to make it better? Kim says, “Things had to be consistent and sustainable.” Margaret helped many fairs through OAAS but Wayne Ettinger says, “While she visited every fair in Ontario, she never neglected our local Dunnville Fair and it survived mainly due to her efforts.”
Margaret’s greatest joy was being with her daughter, Kim, and her granddaughter, Alexandra. The trio loved travelling to fairs in Ontario and the United States. They also shared a love of competing. Alexandra started baking chocolate chip cookies with her grandma at the age of two and was baking bread by age four. She won the Junior award for most points at the 2014 Dunnville Fair at just five years old. That same year Margaret earned the Senior award for most points, making them the first grandmother-granddaughter duo to win the trophies.
Kim has been a Dunnville Fair volunteer alongside her mom, including serving as Secretary-Treasurer. Margaret encouraged her to take courses to earn the Institute of Fair Management Certificate offered by the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE). Kim graduated in December 2019 at a ceremony in San Antonia. She recalls, “Mom was determined that I go and walk across the stage to get my certificate.”
Margaret was recognized as the Dunnville Citizen of the Year in 1999 and the Haldimand Volunteer of the Year in 2017. Reflecting on her mom’s legacy, Kim says, “I don’t know how she did it but she always got volunteers for everything. I was always taught to sit on top of the box and look outside of it. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into the box…. If you’re going to live in a community, be part of the solution – not the problem.”
This was Margaret’s motivation, which she proved time and again. She shared with The Dunnville Chronicle (November 24, 1999), “I also like the challenge. My attitude is if you are going to live in a community and you want to enjoy the benefits (of living in a community) then you had better be willing to work at it.”
Work at it she did. Haldimand Ward 6 Councillor Bernie Corbett describes her as “the ultimate volunteer. Her commitment to our community was evident by the number of community organizations she actively participated with…. Service above selfishness is the decision she made. On behalf of the community I thank her for her commitment.”
Margaret Clark left a legacy of service for which so many are grateful. As Anne and Paul Miron aptly say, “Marg was a remarkable lady we were honoured to know and have for a friend. She definitely will be missed by our community.”
