Margaret Mary Watt

Margaret was born in Manchester, England, in 1938 and was raised with her sister, Anne, in Ireland. Ireland held a special place in her heart throughout her life and was a central part of her identity. She shared this history with her family through her many stories, songs, and Gaelic phrases.

Margaret and her former husband, George - with whom she remained close friends until her death - met on a blind date in 1956 and married in Scotland two years later. They immigrated to Canada in 1965 and raised their three children in Kitimat, until moving to the Sunshine Coast in the mid-1970s. Margaret and George became first-time grandparents in 1986 and were delighted to welcome seven more grandchildren and one great grandchild in the decades that followed.

Margaret moved to North Vancouver in 1997 and settled in Lynn Valley, enjoying many years watching her grandchildren grow. Throughout her life, Margaret was a central force in her family - the person who brought everyone together and tended to those around her. She was a hands-on grandma and a phenomenal storyteller, who shared her creativity, imagination, and endless patience with her grandchildren.

Margaret was a voracious reader who spent countless hours visiting the local library.

As a writer, she brought a sharp wit and creative way with words to her work. She was a regular contributor to the Coast News and had a weekly column in the 1980s. She also very much enjoyed joining local writers’ workshops and had several stories published in local story collections.

Margaret was kind, gentle, and understanding. She showed us the strength in softness–caring for those around her, always. Anyone who crossed Margaret’s path was met with acceptance and her unwavering ability to see each person as their very best parts. Her compassion may have been felt most strongly by the pets and other furry friends who had the good fortune of meeting her.

She is missed by her ex-husband and long-time friend George Watt, her three children Andrew, Anne, and Sue, her sisters Anne and Pauline, her brother, Peter, eight grandchildren, one great grandchild, and many more extended family members and friends.

Is tú mo chroí

A private service will be held. Please consider donating to your local SPCA in Margaret’s memory.