Obituary

Margaret McDonald, a wonderful, loving woman, passed away peacefully at age 94 in Fergus, Ont. on May 3. Originally from Willowdale, Ont., for many years she was an early childhood educator. Later, Margaret studied speech arts and drama at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, receiving an ARCT. She followed this up with a fine arts Bachelors Degree from York University. While she was putting her education to use teaching English as a second language, public speaking, and poetry classes, she also kept life busy with volunteer work reading courses to blind students at Toronto universities. Margaret opened a Brampton office of the Royal Conservatory, which she operated for some time. She was very active in the United Church of Canada, directing chancel plays, reading scripture and volunteering with the United Church women. Margaret became locally famous for her Remembrance Day poetry readings, often reading in several venues on the same day. Margaret was lovingly devoted to her husband Arthur, whom she married in 1966, and they began a family by adopting two boys. She is survived by sons Peter (Evie), Fraser (Angie), beloved grandsons Ian, Simon, Roman and Joseph, beloved granddaughters Ooleepeeka, Isabelle and Gloria. She is also survived by sisters Elizabeth Elliott of Toronto and Dorothy Crowe of Victoria, BC, as well as by many nieces, nephews and other family members. She was predeceased by her husband Arthur in 2008, by her parents James and Martha (Takel), and by three brothers, Pete (Sadie), Robert (Marjorie), and George (Betty) of Toronto, Ont. Margaret spent decades of summers camping across Canada, and loved to be outdoors with a good book. She always had several books on the go until the end of her life. She spent her later years in Fergus, Ont., where she worshipped at St. John’s Anglican in Belwood and St. Andrews Presbyterian in Fergus. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Groves Memorial Hospital Opportunity shop. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a kind and gentle woman who loved a cup of tea and a good conversation. The family would like to thank the care workers, particularly at Wellington Terrace in Fergus, who made Margaret’s later life so comfortable and enjoyable for her. A funeral will be held this week, and a celebration of Margaret’s life will be planned for a future date.