NEW GLASGOW - Margaret Lois (Calder) Durning, 78, of New Glasgow, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 24, 2010, in the Palliative Care Unit of the Aberdeen Hospital, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Springville, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Alfred and Maude (Robertson) Calder.
In New Glasgow High School, she excelled at sports, receiving a trophy for Pictou County's best female athlete. After attending Normal College in Truro, Margaret taught school in Salt Springs and at Acadia Street in New Glasgow. She was married in 1954 to her husband, George, with whom she shared a lifetime of deep love and companionship. In spite of suffering a crippling case of polio shortly after her marriage, she went on to become very involved in the life of her community. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang alto in the choir, was the leader of the C.O.C., and had a lifelong role in the Atlantic Mission Society, serving as Education Convenor for the Atlantic Provinces. She also sang with the Pictou County Choral Society, Noteable Friends Choir and the Trinitarians Choir. She served as President of Acadia-Brown Home and School, following which she chaired the first New Glasgow High School Band Auxiliary. She was past Secretary-Treasurer of the Pictou County Council of Churches. She served in all executive positions of the New Glasgow Lionettes. She was the President of the YM-YWCA in the early stages of its activities and Convenor of the International Development Committee. For many years she organized the annual Carol Sing, a joint fundraiser for the Y Committee and the Council of Churches. Margaret had a long standing and keen interest in the New Glasgow Music Festival, serving as Secretary and later as President. She was a leader in forming the Nova Scotia Provincial Music Festival, serving as President of that organization. Throughout her life, Margaret was a kind and compassionate person, and leaves a strong and lasting influence for good with all who knew her.
Besides her husband, she is survived by six loving children: sons: David (Lara), New Westminster, B.C.; Jamie (Phyllis), Stillwater Lake; Kevin (Cindy), Musquodoboit Harbour; and Ian (Gabrielle), Surrey, B.C.; daughters, Helen (Darrel) Snortland, Medicine Hat, Alberta; and Janice (Andrew) Alcorn, New Glasgow; 14 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law, Betty Calder, New Glasgow; Ruth Fisher, Truro; brother-in-law, Jamie (Elizabeth) Durning, Truro.
She was predeceased by her brother, Frank Calder, in 2008.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of R.H. Porter Funeral Home, New Glasgow, where the family will receive visitors from 7-9 p.m. on Monday and from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 30, at 2:30 p.m., in First Presbyterian Church, 208 MacLean St., New Glasgow, with Rev. Dr. Glen Matheson, Rev. Bob Cruickshank and Rev. Evelyn Carpenter officiating.
Donations may be made to The Lodge that Gives, the Palliative Care Society of the Aberdeen Hospital, First Presbyterian Church, or any other charity of your choice.
Private condolences at: www.rhporter.ca