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Margaret Ellen North Mainwaring

August 2, 2018

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February 5, 1911 - August 2, 2018
Margaret was born in Toronto, Ontario to George and Pearl Neily and raised in the East Kootneys, Bull River area. She passed away peacefully on August 02, 2018 at the Peace Arch Hospice, White Rock BC at the age of 107 and a half.

Attended High School in Cranbrook, and in 1930 moved to Vancouver for nursing school at Vancouver General Hospital, graduating in 1933. In 1941, she enlisted in the army and was accepted into the Royal Canadian Army Medical Cops going overseas in 1942. She served in North African and Southern Italy in the clearing stations. After the war, she returned to BC, then nursed two years in Hawaii. Returning to nurse in Wells, BC, she met Gerald Jackson North, a widower with three boys, Lance, Derek and Roger. Margaret and Gerry married in Barkerville, BC on November 30th 1950, their daughter Moira was born in December,1951. The family moved to Quesnel in 1954 and then to Ladner in 1957. Margaret nursed in Vancouver, including at the George Pearson Hospital (Polio ward) and later she and her husband started three private nursing homes in the Vancouver, New Westminster and Ladner areas.

Retired to White Rock in 1976 Margaret loved to dance, joined lawn bowling, curling, and golf clubs which she continued into her late 90"s. A member of First United Church, and "Remember and Write"... she was a wonderful writer. During this time she also enjoyed travel throughout the world.

Predeceased by her parents, her brother, Bill and sister, Joyce, her husband, Gerry North and her two stepsons Derek and Lance, her second husband Mickey Mainwaring and her beloved companion Warren Palmer. Margaret is survived by her daughter, Moira, and grandson, Christopher from New York, her stepson, Roger and his children, Trent and Tanya in Quesnel and Shawn in Ottawa and grandchildren.

Although she did not have tips of offer for longevity, she said there are values she considers important in life, such as loving your neighbour as yourself. "Until we get so we treat all people as equals, we are not going to be any better civilized than we are now."

She lived every day of her life as fully and as joyfully as she could. She will be greatly missed by those that knew and enjoyed her unique personality and vision!

There will be a Celebration of Margaret's Life on November 11th, 2018 from 2 - 4 pm Peninsula (Crescent) United Church 2756 127 St, Surrey, BC V4A 6L5.

Service Details

Celebration of Life
Sunday, November 11, 2018
2:00 PM
Peninsula United Church, 2756 127 St, Surrey.