Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth MACPHERSON

1916 – 2013 After a long and full life our mother Margaret passed away peacefully on April 30, 2013 at the Bethany Care center in Calgary at the age of 96 years. She was born September 1, 1916 at Sheepbanks Farm near the village of Holystone, England to Margaret and Thomas Brown. Her father passed away the following year. Her mother remarried and brought the family to Canada to settle on a farm near Minburn, AB. Upon leaving high school, she went to Vermilion College, first as a student and then on staff for the next 12 years, with a brief time at the Olds College during the war. Margaret loved her life and work at the colleges, especially appreciating all the wonderful people she met, some of whom remained lifelong friends. In particular she met the love of her life, Don Macpherson, who came to the college as Dean of Men. They were married in 1948 in Edmonton, and then lived on the Macpherson family farm in Delia for the first two years. Leaving farming, they then lived in Olds and Fairview where Don was on the college staff and then in Hanna, High River and finally, Calgary as Don pursued his career with Alberta Agriculture. Margaret was always very busy raising her family and being involved in community activities. She always showed a benevolent spirit towards those in need around her, and spent many hours helping elderly people in her neighbourhood, eventually some younger than she. She will be remembered as a loving mother, caring wife and loyal friend. Mom was predeceased by her beloved husband Don in 2006, and by numerous other much loved family members. She is survived by her children Bob (Sylvia), Marg (John) Bertrand, Bill (Karen) and Janet (John) Mitchell; 12 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. She is also survived by one sibling, Ernie Frost of Vancouver, BC and brother in law Allan (Mildred) Macpherson. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Crowfoot Chapel (82 Crowfoot Circle N.W.), on Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. A private family graveside service will take place at the Delia Cemetery at a later date. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Calgary Meals on Wheels, 3610 Macleod Trail S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 2P9 Telephone: (403) 243-2834, www.mealsonwheels.com. Our thanks to the caring staff at the Bethany Care center in Calgary where Mom spent the last three months. In living memory of Margaret Macpherson, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.