Obituary of Margaret Lilian Hans

Margaret Lilian Hans (Nicholls) born June 9, 1921 in Leamington Spa, England, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, April 14, 2004. She was a bright, beautiful, kind, and courageous woman who never lost her English accent. She was always polite and considerate of others and was one of the Calgary Flames’ biggest fans. Margaret grew up in England alongside her three brothers and four sisters. At age twenty-five, she met, and then later fell in love with Gordon Roy Hans – a navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Gordon returned to Canada shortly after the Second World War, and in 1947, Margaret left England to marry him. Gordon’s entire family embraced her. Margaret and Gordon (whom she called Pete) lived in Loreburn, Saskatchewan for a few years, where he along with his brother Clayton, started Hans Bros General Store. When their daughter Beverley was three they moved to Prince Edward Island where Gordon was a navigational instructor with the R.C.A.F. The next move was to Winnipeg where their son Paul was born. Tragically, when Paul was only nine months old, Gordon was killed in an aviation accident. Loving brothers-in-law Clayton and Cameron came immediately and brought Margaret, Beverley, and Paul back to Loreburn. Clayton and his wife Doris were a constant support and enabled Margaret to be the very best mother. In 1978 she moved to Calgary to be with grandchildren Jay, Chelsea, and Justin. They were the center of her universe. From the time they were born, till her very last day, she was kind, generous, supportive, and loving with each of them. In August 2002, Jay married RÚkha, and with her Margaret gained another grandchild. She was fondly anticipating the arrival of her first great-grandchild in October. She was also looking forward to getting to know Chelsea’s husband Shaun. Margaret had many nieces and nephews, though she had the most unique beautiful relationship with her niece Marjorie. We have lost our most precious mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, sister-in-law and friend. The thought of life without her is unbearable. Our only consolation is that she will once again, after so many years, be with the love of her life, Gordon. The family will have a private service. Interment will take place in Caron, Saskatchewan in August 2004. Margaret loved flowers. We kindly request that they be sent in her memory to The Edgemont Retirement Residence, 80 Edenwold Drive N.W., Calgary, Alberta where they will be enjoyed by the staff and fellow residents of her home for the past two and a half years. Margaret is survived by her daughter Beverley, son Paul, grandson Jay (RÚkha), granddaughter Chelsea (Shaun), grandson Justin, brother Desmond, sister-in-law Doris and nieces and nephews in Canada, England, Australia, and the United States. In living memory of Margaret Hans, a tree will be planted at Nose Creek Valley by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 Crowfoot Circle N.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 241-0044.