November 26, 1921 - June 2, 2022
It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of our mother, Margaret at the wonderful age of 100.
Margaret was born in Vancouver, B.C., to proud parents Joseph and Evelyn McLaughlin.
She was the 2nd of 4 children, brother Jack, sister Pat, and brother Joe, and sadly was predeceased by all.
Margaret was also predeceased by Pat, her husband of 38 years, daughter-in-law Rocky, son Kevin, and son Patrick.
She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughter Maureen (Frank), son Mike and son Brian (Heather), daughter in law Susan, grandchildren Sean (Shell), Alexander (Mel), Christopher (Kristina), James, Logan, Chrissy and Kathrin, as well as great grandchildren Summer, Kiefer, Phoenix, Harmony, Kingston, Skylar and Finley.
Margaret was a great athlete and enjoyed playing many sports. In her younger days, her father taught her how to play golf. At the age of 17, Margaret had an 11 handicap. She loved the sport and was such a good golfer that she could've turned Pro.
She also loved to play baseball. She was such a good baseball player, that her brother Jack always picked his sister Marg to be on his team.
In 1947, Margaret started working at Spencer's Department Store, this is where she met her future husband, Pat O'Reilly. Both Margaret and Pat loved to bowl, and they joined Spencer's bowling league. In 1947-48 Margaret won The Ladies High Average trophy with the high average of 211. In 1949, she also won The Hy Three trophy with a total score of 984 for 3 games.
Margaret and Pat were married on June 29, 1949, they went on to have 5 children, Patrick, Kevin, Maureen, Mike and Brian.
For many years, Pat coached boxing at the Hastings Community Centre. Being the helper and supportive wife that Margaret was, she volunteered to make sausage rolls and meat pies to sell at the Concession stand during every fight show held at the Community Centre.
For years, Margaret volunteered to be Secretary and Treasury, and also served as President and Vice-President for the B.C. Amateur Boxing Association and the Burnaby Lacrosse Club.
In 1981, Margaret was presented an award from the B.C. Amateur Boxing Association for her service and dedication to Amateur Boxing.
On March 11, 1988, Margaret's husband Pat sadly passed away. Margaret lived in the family home on Dundas until 1993. At that time Margaret sold the home and bought an apartment at the Carlton. At the Carlton, Margaret thought it would be nice for the residents to get together, so she started up Bingo on Monday nights. The residents really enjoyed this, and they all appreciated Margaret's thoughtfulness.
From 1993 to 2016, Margaret joined the Burnaby Lawn Bowling Club. On many warm sunny nights, she enjoyed going down to the Club to either play or watch lawn bowling. She also volunteered as Secretary and Treasury, and was involved in the Lawn Bowling Club for 29 years. In 2010 Margaret received an award In Recognition Of Many Years of Service to the Club.
In January 2016, at the age of 94, Margaret sold the Carlton and moved into Seton Villa Independent Living. On Mondays, the residents would go up to the 19th floor and play Crib, and on Wednesdays and Fridays they would play Bingo. Margaret loved crib and bingo and that became part of her weekly entertainment.
Margaret was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.
Anyone who ever met Margaret, always admired her and commented on her kind, caring and loving ways about her. That she had a strong will, she never gave up, and always put others first.
We all enjoyed her wonderful keen sense of humour and sharp wit. What a positive attitude!!
To Our Mother: You Truly Had a Heart of Gold, You Will Always Be Loved and Truly Missed by All.
You were The Best of The Best!!
The Graveside Service will be held at the Ascension section of Forest Lawn Memorial Park,
3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, B.C.
Friday June 24, 2022 at 11:00 am.
Reception to follow at the Centennial Lodge Queens Park
103 Third Avenue, New Westminster, B.C.
In Lieu of flowers, donations to either BC Cancer Foundation or Alzheimer Society of BC would be appreciated.
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