Margaret Maude Reiss

Margaret passed away Nov. 4, 2020 after a brief illness. Graduating from the University of Saskatchewan (B. Ed), Margaret taught in Moose Jaw, Kamsak and Regina, Sask before moving to Cranbrook, BC, where she taught from 1965 to 1997 at Mount Baker Secondary. So many students learned typing, accounting and the lost art of shorthand. Retiring to Vancouver, Margaret loved living in the West End – Best Neighbourhood Ever!! Predeceased by beloved daughter, Sonya Reiss in 2019, brothers Bernie Hughes in 2010 and Jack Hughes in 2011, Margaret leaves to celebrate her life, daughter Colette Rustad (Reiss), son-in-law Bruce Rustad, granddaughters Kaitlyn Rustad and Arielle Rustad, ex-husband and somehow still best friend, Knut Reiss, all of Vancouver, sister Edie Purich in Saskatoon, brother Dennis Hughes in Regina and other close relatives in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Germany.

A special thank you to all the compassionate and caring doctors, residents, nurses, and health-care providers at Whistler, St. Paul’s and Vancouver General Hospitals, the BC Cancer Agency, Three-Bridges, Dying with Dignity and her health-care team of Drs. Ryan Maginn, Dirk Coetsee, Aaron Williams, Renelle Meyers, Paris Ingledew, Allan Nicol, Janessa Laskin, Mark Robert. Your support for Margaret made her last weeks a gift to her and all those who knew her.

Blessed with good health for all her life, with the exception of her recent illness, she had an incredible sense of humour and passion for music that included her love for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra! Always a champion for education and social justice, she could be found supporting education, women’s and students rights, and providing a voice to those in need, as a member of the BC Teachers’ Federation, and its status of women committee. A life-long learner, she traversed many different technology changes in her profession (typewriter, early computer, laptop and mobile devices) and obtained a Master of Education degree, Magna Cum Laude, from Gonzaga University in Washington state, part-time, while teaching. She also had the good fortune of good genes and brilliantly brunette hair at 81 years. She was often quoted as saying to her granddaughters, “A song for everything” “…….and No, I do not dye my hair”, both of which always brought smiles.

We celebrate your life, your love and your gift that was Margaret “Gram”, and know your spirit remains with all who you touched, as your journey continues with Sonya and others who have gone before. Our echoes roll from soul to soul and grow forever and forever. (Tennyson)

Those wishing to celebrate Margaret’s life can share a story and/or make a donation in her memory to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the BC Cancer Agency or Dying with Dignity.