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Margaret Carmichael

Born In: Munro's Point, St. Ann's, Nova Scotia, Canada

Passed in: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Passed on: May 17th, 2011

Margaret was born in her family home at Munro’s Point, St. Ann’s, Cape Breton to Capt. Angus and Mary Carmichael. At a young age she often travelled with her parents on her father’s schooners, The Ambition and The Ernest, with her brothers, Hector and Donald and her dear sister, Muriel. Her seafaring family, Scottish heritage, and her horse, a black stallion named Romeo, played a large role in her joy for living and strong character.
In 1936, Margaret graduated from Normal College in Truro, N.S. She was highly regarded for her intelligence, critical thinking and capability. She taught at schools in the Annapolis Valley, Big Harbour and Baddeck Bay.
During the war she served as an inventory clerk in Halifax. It was there she met and married LT. CMDR. Randle Dykes and had their first child, Heather.
After the war, they returned to Baddeck, Cape Breton, where her parents then resided. During this time her sons, John and Randle were born. She was a substitute teacher at Baddeck Academy where she enjoyed and engaged the children she taught. She was very active in the church and community; she was a life member of Greenwood UCW and the AG Bell Club. In 1964 they moved to Victoria, to Randy’s home province of British Columbia.
Margaret travelled to Africa to meet her husband who was the captain of the Canadian weather ship, during the GATE Project. Her charm, intelligence and worldliness made her a valuable and cherished part of this important scientific and navigational event.
Margaret with her curiosity, and intelligence remained a life long learner. At the University of Victoria she studied French and Gaelic. She remained a current and very sophisticated woman, a proud Canadian interested in politics, history and her Gaelic heritage.
Margaret was a member of the session and choir at St. Aiden’s United Church and contributed on various committees. She had a passion for bridge and enjoyed attending the symphony and opera.
Margaret had two ‘homes’, on both the west and east coasts of Canada. She nurtured her ties with her family and friends by often travelling to Cape Breton, through her writing of beautiful letters, e-mails and frequent phone calls encouraging, sharing and celebrating the lives of her family. Margaret, or Annie as her grandchildren called her, was beautiful, intelligent, engaging, curious, compassionate, current and fiercely independent. She loved all things beautiful. She tended a lovely garden and home, deeply cared for her cats, travelled, enjoyed being physically fit by exercising and swimming, played the piano, loved shopping, wore beautiful clothes, collected antiques, admired art, sunlight and nature. Her smile and laugh were pure, honest and engaging to her family and many friends.
Margaret left this world on the Full Flower moon on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 in Victoria, B.C.
Mourning her loss are her daughter, Heather (Lloyd) MacInnes; her sons, John (Margot Croft) and Randle (Patty) Dykes; her grandchildren, Lloyd Michael (Trina), Megan (David), Meadow, Allan and David (Cori) and six great grandchildren, Aleks, Robin, Dustin, Lynk, Colin and Avery. She also leaves her dear bother-in-law, Normie Bethune and her loving nieces and nephews, Barbara, Lillian, Ralph and Cathy Carmichael and Mary and Norman Bethune.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Capt. Randle Dykes; her siblings, Muriel Bethune, Hector and Donald Carmichael and her great-grandson, Noah Cownden.
A service will also be held in Cape Breton at a later date.



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