Margaret Elizabeth Mcphee

October 1 1932 - July 21 2018

Margaret passed away peacefully In the early hours of the morning at the Vancouver Hospital in Canada.

Margaret was a vibrant, kind, and generous person who left an indelible imprint on the lives of so many people. She was a firm believer in living life to the fullest despite her health challenges. And indeed, she did!

Margaret was born in Inverness to parents Angus and Eileen McPhee. She remained close to her sister Helen and Helen’s family in Scotland and visited them, her godchildren, and her many Scottish friends often. In recent years she reacquainted with her brother Angus.

Margaret was a lifelong scholar. She studied formally at Edinburgh University and in Canada at UBC: languages (French mostly) and social work and health administration and gerontology. More informally she learned photography, Italian, master gardening, music and anything else that grabbed her always curious mind. She was also a professional teacher in various institutions including Strathclyde University in Scotland and the Education Services Dept. of Shaughnessy Hospital in Vancouver. Informally, she taught private students Latin and French. And, by her way of being, she taught lasting life lessons to so many of her friends.

It was while Margaret was serving as warden in a student residence at Strathclyde University that she met Jim Foort who arrived there to attend a conference. Their relationship grew into a lifelong loving partnership. Jim survives Margaret and carries her in his heart still.

In 1972 Margaret joined Jim in Canada. They set up house on 11th Avenue in Vancouver and transformed the block into a model neighbourhood. Their neighbours are their friends and showed this in times of need just as Margaret had done for them.

Many people call this good person a friend. She dedicated her life to helping and supporting others. She was a Board member and an active and valued volunteer with several health and social organizations including the Vancouver Hospital; the VGH Senior's Advisory Council; the Yaletown House; the Ask Friendship and Day Centre for Seniors. She served as a witness for the Dying with Dignity organisation. She expressed her social values by working for the NDP both provincially and federally.

If people wish to contribute to charity in her name, Margaret would like it to go to ASK FRIENDSHIP CENTRE / DAY CENTRE FOR SENIORS or DYING WITH DIGNITY CANADA.

We have enjoyed Margaret’s wonderful sense of humour and have benefited from her wisdom and generosity. So many people have loved Margaret. She would ask us to give that love now to those who need it - that is what she would have done.

A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at the VanDusen Botanical Garden Floral Hall 5251 Oak St, Vancouver on Thursday August 30 at 11.00 a.m. followed by a light lunch.

Condolences and memories of Margaret can be sent in Canada to: Jim Foort Room 403 Crofton Manor 2803 W 41st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6N 4B4

In Scotland to: Helen Hepburn, 41 Bruce Gardens, Inverness, Scotland, 1V3 5EO

Jim and Helen will share these with other members of the family.