On Wednesday morning, March 2nd, 2005, Ms. Marion Cathie MacTaggart, quietly passed away at the age of 90.
Ms MacTaggart, an accomplished woman of her day, spent her final months in the Weatherby Pavilion, a part of Peace Arch Hospital, White Rock, BC.
She will be sorely missed by her extended family and many friends.
Marion MacTaggart was born in Winnipeg BC on August 26, 1914 and attended the University of Manitoba graduating with a BA, Summma Cum Laude, in 1934.
Subsequently, while performing secretarial duties with a Chartered Accounting firm, she undertook accountancy training and became the first Manitoba woman to win the prestigious War Memorial Gold Medal for obtaining the highest marks in the final examinations.
It took a further 34 years before another female won the Medal.
Marion also became the first female member of the Institute of chartered Accountants of Manitoba.
With her new professional designation in hand, she took up employment with the Manitoba government, raising to the position of Provincial Chief Auditor,
Marion retired from the Manitoba Civil Service in 1976, and ten years later moved to White Rock, BC to be near her older sister Jean Steele.
Marion setted in White Rock, BC.
In her life, she was an excellent canoeist, a noted equestrian, a weekend golfer, a world traveller, a lawn bowler and was known as a brilliant bridge and canasta plyer.
Marion is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Duncan & Isabelle MacTaggart of Val Belair QC; three nieces and two nephews and their families; Peggy MacTaggart of Val Belair QC; Cathie Nesbit of Surrey BC; Sandi Shaw of Penticton BC; Edward (Ted) Steele of Delta BC; and William (Bill) Steele of Point Roberts USA.
A memorial service was held at Victory Memorial Park Funeral Centre, Surrey, BC at 3:00 pm on Thursday, March 17, 2005.