MACLAGGAN, MARGARET ELEANOR - Margaret Eleanor MacLaggan passed away at Thomas Hall, Shannex Parkland, in Fredericton, New Brunswick on March 24, 2014. She was born in Manitoba on September 27, 1932, the daughter of Mary Angeline (Williams) and James Lawrence Morden. Margaret, her sister Irma and brother Alec grew up on the family farm in Hartney, Manitoba. On May 12, 1954, she married Robert Somers MacLaggan at the St. Paul’s United Church in Fredericton. Margaret and Bob had four children (Cathy, Larry, Mary Jane and Linda). She was a loving and devoted wife and mother – her family was always the most important thing in her life. While the children were growing up, she was actively involved in Brownies, Guides, Scouts, Home and School, the Forest Hill Recreation Council, swimming and family skiing trips. Many happy and busy summers were spent at the family cottage at Yoho Lake. She was a fun-loving person and loved the outdoors. She cared deeply about other people and loved animals. Margaret was a beautiful dancer and continued her love of dance later in life with line dancing. She was also active in Tai Chi for many years. Carrying on her mother’s tradition, Margaret loved to paint prairie landscapes, winter scenes and fall leaves.
Margaret trained at the Brandon General Hospital and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1953. She worked in Victoria (BC), Fredericton and Campbellton. Margaret returned to Brandon in 2003 for a reunion with her classmates and to visit with her relatives and friends. Prior to 1990, Margaret worked as a realtor for eight years. Over the years she and Bob travelled to Mexico, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the States and across Canada. She also enjoyed sailing on the Bluenose off Nova Scotia, and cruising the BC coast to Alaska. When Bob retired in 1988, they took “a trip of a lifetime” travelling to the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Australia and Hawaii. Margaret is survived by Robert, her loving husband and partner of nearly 60 years, and, her sister Irma Jean (Kenneth Fardoe) of Flin Flon, Manitoba. She will be truly missed by daughters Catherine Anne (John Lavigne), Mary Jane Bessey (Peter Bessey), and, Linda Susan (Wayne Gillis). She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren: Christopher and Alex Bessey; Bradley Gillis; Angella Price (Rikki); Joel MacLaggan (Amy Holmes); and Sarah Hamilton (Denis); and by her great-grandchildren: Emma and Jack Price; Will, Ben and Kate MacLaggan; and Austin and Alex Hamilton. She will be sadly missed by her nieces and nephews: Brian Fardoe, Diane Whitbread, Tim Morden, Karen Ellis, John Morden and their families. Margaret was predeceased by her son Lawrence Clyde and his wife Althea (Price), and by her brother Alec Morden (survived by his wife Susan Goertzen). The family would like to sincerely thank Margaret’s caregivers (special thanks to Ellen Hurley-Legere and Anne Jones) and the staff at Thomas Hall for their kindness and loving care for Margaret.
By request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. A memorial service will be arranged at a later date. McAdam’s Funeral Home is making the arrangements and personal condolences may be entered on-line at www.mcadamsfh.ca . For those who wish, a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society would be appreciated by the family.