Obituary of Margaret Pauline Law

July 22, 1921 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

November 17, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

The Law family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Margaret Pauline Dowler Law, 102 years old, of Calgary, AB, on November 17, 2023.

Margaret was born on July 22, 1921, in Winnipeg, MB, to James Andrew Dowler and Jemima Pauline Dowler. Just five weeks after her birth, she visited Lake of the Woods for the first time, where she would later spend many summer holidays and meet her future husband.

She attended the University of Manitoba Faculty of Home Economics, graduating in 1943 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. Margaret pursued a career in fashion, first at Courtaulds (Canada), a world leader in textiles, and then at T. Eaton Co., until 1954 when she married Ernest Gerald Law of Calgary.

Throughout her life, Margaret was an active member of her community, an accomplished figure skater and a lifelong golfer. For many years she served as a judge for Canadian Figure Skating (Skate Canada) and was a proud Rotarian and member of the Calgary Golf and Country Club and Glencoe Club.

Along with her husband, Gerry, she made significant contributions to community organizations and universities that support people with developmental disabilities. She and Gerry helped to fund and create the Mount Royal University Transitional Vocational Program, which has educated hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities, enabling them to find and maintain competitive employment. 

Margaret is survived by her beloved son Jamie Law, and stepchildren, Richard Law (Joyce), Penny Law (Alec), Susan Thompson (Dick), Pamela Taylor (Ron), and Dianne Evans (Stanley). She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, of whom she was very proud. Margaret is also survived by her Winnipeg nieces and nephews, with whom she was extremely close. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Betty Redmond and brother Jim Dowler.

The family is thankful for the wonderful care given to Margaret over the last seven years at Staywell Manor and to the staff at Rockyview General Hospital for their care and attention in the last few days of her life.

Funeral Services will be held at Anglican Parish of Christ Church (3602 – 8th Street S.W, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at start time 1:00 p.m. Reverend Witwer will officiate.  Reception to follow in the Crump Room at the church. Graveside Service to follow at Queen's Park Cemetery. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Margaret’s family here.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial donations to the Mount Royal Transitional Vocational Program, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW, Calgary, AB, T3E 6K6, Telephone: 403-440-7700, https://foundation.mru.ca/tvp.