MCKENDRICK, Margaret Elizabeth
December 15, 1925 – Calgary, Alberta
March 19, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta
Margaret McKendrick of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the age of 96 years.
Margaret grew up in the Porcupine Hills, west of Granum, AB, and loved her life on the ranch. However, they were a great distance away from a school, and knowing the importance of a good education, her parents made the difficult decision to have her attend Grade One in Fort William, ON. Margaret crossed the country by train at six years of age to live with her aunt. She recounted that for the first few days in class she laid her head on her desk and cried. She said she slowly got over it and moved on. It was an attitude that she carried forward throughout her life.
Eventually, the family did move to a small farm in Bowness, where Margaret and her sister Jean could be closer to schools. Margaret’s grandparents, the Shouldices, lived nearby and they reached an agreement with the City of Calgary to extend the streetcar line to Bowness Park, for land that would eventually become known as Shouldice Park. Margaret could now ride the streetcar to Western Canada High School, and years later, her grandchildren would proudly point out her picture in the school hallway to their friends. After high school, she became a Gymnastic-Keep Fit instructor at Mount Royal College and started to socialize with a farm boy from nearby Springbank that would change her life.
Jim and Margaret were married in 1947, little knowing that they would celebrate over 74 years together. Building a home and expanding the farm provided many challenges for the young couple, but they were up to the test and children soon followed. Margaret was an avid gardener and much preferred being outdoors to being in the kitchen, except for her dedication to making extensive amounts of preserves. She was also adept at producing the many meals needed for the haying and harvesting crews, as well as the many large family gatherings she liked to host.
The center of her life was her family and community. She was a driving force in making sure that her children realized their opportunities through education, hard work, and community involvement. She walked the talk as she was a tireless volunteer within the Springbank community. A founding member of the Curling Club, the Heritage Club, lifelong member of the United Church, and too many other events and organizations to mention. She was the master of soup, sandwiches, and angel food cakes. She also volunteered for over 30 years with Calgary Meals on Wheels. Family and community constantly came together as she supported all her children’s activities with endless energy.
She loved a good party, enjoyed her many travels, and marvelled at the lives of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Margaret is survived by her children, Bob (Patti) McKendrick, Marie (Jerry) Barclay, and Diane Stables; grandchildren, Paul (Kylie) McKendrick, Beth (Gill) Brownie, Lynn (Tom) Holdsworth, Amy (Ryan) Visser, Jared (Janele) Barclay, Darcy, Christine, and Brad Stables; great-grandchildren, Carson, Myles, and Molly McKendrick; George, Fraser and Ben Brownie; Peter Holdsworth, Logan and Clara Barclay; sister-in-law Betty Hatch, and numerous nieces and nephews. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Jim, sister Jean Johnson, and son-in-law David Stables.
The family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at Hawthorne Cochrane for their wonderful care.
A Private Family Service was held. If friends and family desire, condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at HYPERLINK "http://www.McInnisandHolloway.com" www.McInnisandHolloway.com.
In living memory of Margaret McKendrick, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.
