Marguerite Ora Olson

Marguerite (Marg) was born June 19th, 1928 in Edmonton, Alberta and died November 5th, 2017 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 89 years. She was the chosen daughter of Robert James (Jim) and Georgina Almira (Nellie) Burnfield. Adopted at about age 3 she was raised on the Burnfield farm in Ardrossan. She was called Tootsie by family and friends growing up and had a happy childhood. She graduated as valedictorian from high school in 1946 and then attended the University of Alberta School of Nursing. She graduated as a registered nurse in 1950.

Marguerite married Earl Elmer Olson on May 30th, 1953 at Wesley United Church in Edmonton and after the birth of their first child moved to Calgary where five more children were born. Marg worked for many years at Southwood Nursing Home and retired in 1993 as Director of Care. She worked tirelessly at home as well to care for her large family. Marg was a fastidious house keeper and loved to cook and sew.

Marg and Earl lived in the communities of Haysboro, Southwood, and Woodbine before retiring to a beautiful new home at Gull Lake not far from “the cabin”, a source of fun for the Olson family growing up. After many years of country living, Marg and Earl moved once again, this time to St. Albert. After Earl passed away in 2007, she was kept company by her grandson, Adam, until her health declined and in 2014 she moved one last time to Calgary to live with her son, Brian, who became her primary care giver. She passed away at home after a struggle with dementia and is now at peace.

Marg was predeceased by her husband, Earl and her adoptive family: parents Jim & Nellie; sisters Eva Maloy, Elsie Samuel, and Vera Pickles and their spouses; nephews John Maloy and Ronald Pickles; nieces Beatrice Samuel and Yvonne (Tiny) Phillips.

Marg is survived by her children, Marina (Charles) Rees, Rhea, David (Ron), Doug (Penny), Karen Stanton, and Brian; her grandchildren, Paul (Kristin) Cowles, Shaun (Carla) Cowles, Julia (Marc) Plain, Christy (Felicia) Urusky, Jen (Lee) Hodgson, Erin (Tom) Davey, Michael (Beckie), Sharene, Tyler, and Adam (Terry) Hickey; and her great-grandchildren, Brooklyn & Brody, Noah & Finn, Shaylene & Allyssia, Everett & Emilia, Aaron & Mackenzie, Lucas & Tenley, Samantha and her niece, Peggy Schurman, and extended family.

Marg was reunited late in her life with her mother Keitha Brown (nee Lee) and her half-siblings, Irene (Sandy) Scott, Kenneth (Anne) Oliver, Peter (Yvonne) Brown, Betty (Clive) Gudmunson, Keitha and Hilda Morrical and their extended families. Her father, Otis Morrical, however, had already passed.

A celebration of Marguerite’s long life will be held on Sunday, January 14th, 2018 in Calgary at The St. Andrews Center (1-10601 Southport Rd. S.W.) from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Marguerite’s and Earl’s remains will be interred at a later date in Bethlehem Cemetery, Camrose.

They will be forever in our hearts.

(A reception to honour Marguerite was held on December 3rd, 2017 in St. Albert. Our thanks to everyone who came to help us celebrate her life.)