Marjorie Paterson (Howie) Flanagan

Marjorie Paterson Flanagan, age 80, passed away on March 5th, 2019, losing her final battle with cancer.

Marj was born on September 11th, 1938. Raised in Medicine Hat, she trained to be a nurse, in which she excelled.

After graduating, Marj moved and nursed in Calgary. In April of 1962, she married Wallace Flanagan. Later, they settled in Wallace’s hometown of Bassano, Alberta. Marjorie was caring, practical, and dedicated. Above all she was tenacious. She pursued her goals with a single-minded determination.

While raising a family, she went from nursing to administrating the Bassano General Hospital. Also during this time, she completed a degree in Business through correspondence.

In 1985, Wallace purchased an insurance agency in Claresholm, and they and their daughter moved there.

Marj ran a consultancy firm advising on hospital accreditations until a role in hospital administration came up locally. She went on to manage both the Claresholm General Hospital and the Claresholm Auxilliary Hospital. Suffice it to say, when she retired they replaced her with two people.

Marj volunteered and contributed to any community she was a member. She was a driving force in creating the kindergarten in Bassano and was the president of the Claresholm Bridges Golf Club when they expanded the course to 18 holes. Marj fought cancer four times. Unfortunately, her tenacity did not get her through the last bout.

Marj loved her family fiercely. She is predeceased by her son Donne, brothers Norman and Allan, mother Violet and father, Robert.

She is survived by her husband Wallace, daughter Jill, daughter-in-law Deirdre, granddaughter Eileen, grandson Kieran, and half-sister Nikki.

Marj and Wallace have been grateful to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre for their excellent care. Instead of flowers, please donate to them.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marjorie Paterson (Howie) Flanagan, please visit our floral store.