Tribute

It is with sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Margaret on June 14th, 2024, in Crest View Village care home. She was born in Winchester, England and grew up in the vicinity. She was predeceased by her parents, May and Patrick Toogood, her only sibling, Joyce Todd, son Colin, and husband, Vagn.

Margaret joined the WRENS in 1947, and was an air mechanic until 1950, when she moved to London and worked until 1953. In June ‘53, she and a friend emigrated to Toronto, Canada. She met Vagn shortly after that, and they were married in 1955. They had three children, Elizabeth, Colin, and Penny. In 1968, they moved to Edgewater, BC after buying a motel and campground. This was a very different and challenging lifestyle and took some getting used to! They sold the business in 1976, and moved to Cranbrook where they eventually ended up spending their retirement years in Terra Lee Terrace. They enjoyed many years together wintering in the south and camping and fishing in the summer at Koocanusa Lake.

After Vagn died in 2008, Margaret continued to live at Terra Lee, playing bridge regularly with her friends and making several trips back to England. In 2019, she moved to Joseph Creek care home where she lived happily and independently in her apartment continuing to play bridge and spend meal times with her long term, dear friend, Margaret Westrup. In the last few years Elizabeth, Penny, and Margaret spent many evenings together enjoying charcuterie boards, drinking wine, sharing happy memories and watching Bill Maher at Elizabeth’s house (a reprieve from JVC meals!)

In October, 2023, mum fell and broke her hip; thus began the transition to full care. She spent her remaining time at Crest View Village receiving excellent care from the wonderful staff there. We would like to thank them for their kindness and support to our mother and to us as well.

Margaret is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth and Penny, grandchildren, Adam, Devin, Gray, Tess, and Blake, as well as two great grandchildren, Amelia and Hunter.

Our parents encouraged us to be strong and independent, before it was fashionable. As immigrants, they were proud to be Canadians, and raised us to work hard and be respectful. We take comfort in knowing they are together again.