Marguerite McKay Mitton, Wolfville, N.S., died on July 29, 2010. Born in Somerville, Carleton Co., N.B., March 14, 1922, the daughter of Burtt Siprelle Rideout and Jane Elizabeth McKay Rideout. She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Harold L. Mitton of Wolfville, her son Ronald (Susan) of Halifax, N.S., her daughter Ruth (Robert Clish), of Halifax, N.S., her grandchildren Julia and John Mitton, her sister-in-law Catherine Hicks Mitton, Superior, Wisconsin, three nephews and a niece residing in the USA.
Marguerite graduated from the University of New Brunswick in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with first class honors in English and French, at the same time completing the required courses in Education leading to a Grammar School License. Subsequently she taught Grades 9 and 10 at Hartland High School where she had graduated in 1938 as Class Valedictorian. Following her marriage to Harold Mitton they moved to Wolfville, N.S., where she taught High School at Horton Academy on the campus of Acadia University until her husband completed his theological study.
Marguerite found deep fulfillment in supporting and working with her husband as his partner in the churches he served over the years in Aylesford, Morristown, N.S., Windsor, N.S., Charlottetown, P.E.I., Fredericton, N.B., and Calgary, Alberta. She continued to use her teaching skills in the various congregations providing leadership at all age levels and was often invited to be a speaker at various conferences and retreats. She held several offices within the United Baptist Woman's Missionary Union and twice served as Devotional Speaker at their annual conventions. Following her husband's appointment as Principal of the Acadia Divinity College she participated fully in the life of the College, serving as a mentor to spouses of students and graciously hosting gatherings at her home for students, faculty and staff. She made significant contributions to the Wolfville United Baptist Church by serving on various Boards and was a member of the Miriam Ross Women's Missionary Society at the time of her death.
Family, both immediate and extended, was always the centre of Marguerite's life. She was incredibly supportive of her children, Ron and Ruth, and took great joy in their smallest of triumphs and comforted them in any setbacks. She enjoyed nothing more than family gatherings and doted on her grandchildren who received her unlimited encouragement, guidance and support. She never forgot a birthday, graduation or anniversary date, and had a remarkable facility for family history and memories. She loved the piano her father had given to her when she was in her teens and she played it regularly throughout her life. While her capabilities were many, Marguerite was, above all else, kind and thoughtful of others and treated everyone with the same level of admiration and respect. She was a remarkable woman, a mentor to many, a loving wife and friend, and a loving and devoted mother.
A private cremation has taken place. The Memorial Service will be conducted by The Reverend Judith Tod from the Wolfville United Baptist Church on Sunday, August 1, at 2:30 pm, followed by a Reception in the Vestry.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Marguerite and Harold Mitton Endowment Fund, Acadia Divinity College, or to Canadian Baptist Ministries (7185 Millcreek Drive, Mississauga, ON, L5N 5R4), or to the Canadian Bible Society (10 Carnforth Road, Toronto, ON M4A 2S4), or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Serenity Funeral Home & Crematorium, 568 Main Street, Wolfville, NS, B4P 1E7. Cards of sympathy may be sent to this address or on-line at www.serenityfuneralhome.ca.