Obituary for Margaret Chalmers
Mom was born in a small village in Inverness-shire, Scotland. In 1941 she met Duncan Sr., a young soldier then stationed in the village, whom she would eventually marry. With Duncan leaving to go to Holland, Margaret was assigned to a paint factory in Glasgow. She told us of the terror of air raid sirens and the distinctive drone of German bombers. She spent many nights as a roof top fire watcher whose job it was to spot and suppress fires from the incendiary bombs. In 1956 the family emigrated to Canada where she supported Duncan Sr. in his service as a United Church minister.
Mom and Dad loved to travel and after retirement went on numerous trips around the world. They both loved to dance and polished the parquet floor of many a cruise ship. After Duncan Sr. died in 2005, Mom continued traveling well into her late eighties. There was no way she was going to miss out on exotic destinations, dining at the captain’s table, and chit chatting with fellow travelers.
Mom burned brightly, lived life fully, always up for an occasion. She was wickedly observant and had a sardonic sense of humour. Indefatigable and eminently pragmatic, she soldiered her way through many illnesses, including cancer, none of which seemed to put a dent in her resolve to live life with gusto. When extreme old age and illness finally caught up with her, we can only imagine her finally saying, “All right then, if you insist, let’s get on with it”. Always a realist she took everything in stride. It’s hard to believe that she is gone. She was a unique presence and will burn brightly in our memories.
Her family is grateful to the many people who gave her help along the way—the neighbours in the condo where she continued to live after Duncan died, especially Carollyne Sinclaire who went beyond what anyone could expect in her support at all times of day and night. Also the kind and ever compassionate nurses and OTs at 3 Bridges who helped keep her going and guided the family through the health system. Thanks also to the nurses and care workers at West Vancouver Care Centre who took care of Margaret after it became impossible for her to remain at home.
In the last hours of her life, her long time friend and minister at St. Andrews-Wesley church, Jen Cunnings, ensured that Margaret received pastoral care from Reverend Lorraine Ashdown. For that we are also grateful.
Margaret was pre-deceased by her husband Reverend Duncan Chalmers and her daughter Florence Boyland. She is survived by her daughter Avril, son Duncan, grandchildren Jason and Adrienne, her brother David (Margaret), her niece Fiona (Tony), her son-in-law Tony Boyland, nephews David (Margaret), Bruce (Christine), and their children Alex, Ryan, Chelsea and Nathan.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date.
Mom and Dad loved to travel and after retirement went on numerous trips around the world. They both loved to dance and polished the parquet floor of many a cruise ship. After Duncan Sr. died in 2005, Mom continued traveling well into her late eighties. There was no way she was going to miss out on exotic destinations, dining at the captain’s table, and chit chatting with fellow travelers.
Mom burned brightly, lived life fully, always up for an occasion. She was wickedly observant and had a sardonic sense of humour. Indefatigable and eminently pragmatic, she soldiered her way through many illnesses, including cancer, none of which seemed to put a dent in her resolve to live life with gusto. When extreme old age and illness finally caught up with her, we can only imagine her finally saying, “All right then, if you insist, let’s get on with it”. Always a realist she took everything in stride. It’s hard to believe that she is gone. She was a unique presence and will burn brightly in our memories.
Her family is grateful to the many people who gave her help along the way—the neighbours in the condo where she continued to live after Duncan died, especially Carollyne Sinclaire who went beyond what anyone could expect in her support at all times of day and night. Also the kind and ever compassionate nurses and OTs at 3 Bridges who helped keep her going and guided the family through the health system. Thanks also to the nurses and care workers at West Vancouver Care Centre who took care of Margaret after it became impossible for her to remain at home.
In the last hours of her life, her long time friend and minister at St. Andrews-Wesley church, Jen Cunnings, ensured that Margaret received pastoral care from Reverend Lorraine Ashdown. For that we are also grateful.
Margaret was pre-deceased by her husband Reverend Duncan Chalmers and her daughter Florence Boyland. She is survived by her daughter Avril, son Duncan, grandchildren Jason and Adrienne, her brother David (Margaret), her niece Fiona (Tony), her son-in-law Tony Boyland, nephews David (Margaret), Bruce (Christine), and their children Alex, Ryan, Chelsea and Nathan.
A private family memorial will be held at a later date.