1931 – 2024
Daughter of George and Irja (nee Collanus), Margaret was born in Toronto during the Depression and has now left us May 18, surrounded by her loving family.
She left behind her sister Barbara (Tom), brother Ernie (Wilma), and was predeceased by brother George. Her legacy lives on with daughters Myra Smith (Steve), Cynthia Greenland (Alan), as well as her sons Paul (Rebecca), and Henry (Denise) and special person Rita, as well as an assortment of grandchildren and great-grandchildren who inherited her strong will “Finnish Sisu” and her talent of baking the world’s best Pulla.
As a young mother in the 1950s, she worked tirelessly as a long-distance operator. Later, as a single parent in the 1960s, she managed her household with a mix of love, discipline, and a handy wooden spoon. She put herself through night school, where she acquired bookkeeping and secretarial skills, and became known for her meticulous bookkeeping. She retired in the early 1990s, moving to Rydal Bank making it her home and sanctuary for 30 years, where she happily enjoyed her many friends, family and activities. She handled the bookkeeping for the Rydal Bank Historical Society right up to her 90s.
Margaret was always cooking; no guest left her house without enjoying a meal and gaining a few pounds. She enjoyed gardening and faithfully planted garlic every fall. She filled her life with crafts, sewing and was always ready to mail interesting health-related articles to those she cared about. She will be remembered for her warm smile, delicious cooking, gardening, and the life she shared with each of us.
We would like to thank Dr. Schamp and Dr. O’Brien, her PSW Theresa, and everyone who helped her to enjoy the rest of her life and made her comfortable.
Celebrate Margaret’s life by sharing your stories about her, as she would want the laughter to last just a bit longer. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
There will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to your local women’s shelter or the Rydal Bank Historical Society.
Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home & Cremation Centre (215 St. James Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, P6A 1P7, 705-759-8456).