Marguerite Sumeraj (Friend)

Entered June 23, 2021 from Parkland on the Glen

Margaret, we will miss your quiet presence in our midst.
Rest in peace.

JAMES A. Doherty (Friend)

Entered June 25, 2021 from Newmarket, ON,

Very sorry to hear of Margaret's passing.

Grace Miksa (friend)

Entered June 26, 2021 from Mississauga

Margaret will be truly missed. Especially that twinkle in her eye.

John, Shona, Cailie, Natha and Luke (Friend)

Entered June 26, 2021 from Mississauga

We were so sorry to hear about the passing of Aunt Margaret. We’ve had a lot of fun with her over the years and she will be missed!!

June Stewart (Cousin)

Entered June 29, 2021 from Scotland

Margaret, we will miss you. So many happy memories of our time together on both sides of the Atlantic. We shared lots of fun and laughter. Our visits to Canada just won't be the same. Love from all the Stewarts (although I am still a very proud Clark).

If I could sum things up about what Aunt Margaret meant to me in my life I would use the words – a consistent source of calm and unfailing support. I know that sounds more pragmatic than emotionally endearing, but it was exactly what we needed in our lives.

The time in my life when her presence was most important was during my teen years. Growing up is not easy for anyone and I think I had a more tumultuous time of it than some, certainly more than my sisters. There were times when I just wanted to be somewhere else. Somewhere that was peaceful and judgement free. I often found myself at the door she shared with my Grandma. I was always welcomed in and just hung out there, it was a perfect, loving place to escape.

That said, Aunt Margaret was part of our lives from the start. We have a strong mother who has always put us first, I love her and I respect how difficult it was for her to raise 3 children on her own, but knowing AM was there if we needed her was important and comforting.

When we were kids my grandma and AM opened their home to us for sleep overs. We had access to unlimited snacks, we had full access to their home and all their treasures (AM had a great wardrobe and shoe collection – perfect for dress up) and there were basically no rules – what kid wouldn’t love an Aunt like that!?

When we were adults she was part of all our events: gradations, weddings, holiday dinners and as we became adults she provided support for our families in her own way.

She was a constant, she was supportive, she was never judgmental of us -- of other YES she was judgmental & had many strong opinions -- but not when it came to us, with us there was just love and support.

She was set in her ways and wasn’t about to change, despite all the encouragement and nagging we could throw at her – there was no changing the things she loved in life. That firm, unmovable element of her nature that drove us all crazy, was also what made her such a stable and solid support figure.

In the words of our cousin June “We’ve expected this day to come for so long, but it’s still such a shock that she’s no longer here.” We will miss her presence, and we will never forget what she meant to us.

Reflecting on some special memories, I think I was the first of my 3 sisters to go to Ottawa with her. We toured the mint, parliament buildings and watch the changing of the guard under the blaring noon-time sun. I remember we stayed at a Holiday Inn, and we were both pretty thrilled to be living it up.

When I was about 12, Aunt Margaret took Liz and I to see Donny & Marie at Exhibition Stadium. It was my very first concert, and I can remember the entire event. In fact, I still have a bit of a crush on Donny Osmond.

Later, when I got married and had kids, she was proud and as supportive as ever. She just adored Paul and her grand-nephews, showering them with gifts, hand-made with love, from knitted sweaters to hand painted Christmas houses.

But most of my memories of Aunt Margaret are of her just being there… always with us.

What can I tell you about my Aunt Margaret that you don’t already know? You all know that she was fiercely proud, stubborn, and loving.

Her pride in her Scottish heritage never wavered. I remember when I was in Grade 4, my Aunt Margaret brought me to Scotland to meet all my cousins for the first time. Not only did she interpret everything said to me, she also brought me to see every castle ever built in Scotland - without complaint and even with a smile.

My aunt was stubborn and set in her ways. This served us all well, when for the last decade or more we always knew where to find her - in her office at the Canadiana. Her corner booth reserved for her everyday where she would read until one of us showed up for a BLT or Grilled Cheese with fries.

But most of all, my aunt was loving. She gave us everything we needed and never asked for anything in return.

We will miss her but we know she is with my grandma, grandfather and uncle. If heaven was non-smoking before, it won’t be for long.