Obituary of Margaret Metcalfe ELLIOTT

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing Margaret Metcalfe Elliott; of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. She was well loved by all who knew her. Margaret was born to Alice and Joseph Nicholson in 1924 in Amble, Northumberland; with older sister Nancy and younger sister Corrine. Growing up, Margaret was both a bright young lady who earned a scholarship to attend Duchess School , Alnwick and a spirited athlete playing all sports, including rounders, netball, lacrosse and tennis. Margaret would continue to play tennis throughout her adult life. She was a teen aged girl during the Second World War, and later told stories of scarcity and rationing, and of community and sharing. In those tough years she learned the value of family, of working hard and of helping those in need. After the war, Margaret met and fell in love with Jack Elliott. They would later marry in 1947 and have a daughter, Lindis in 1948. Though the only family he knew in Canada was his aunt who lived in Big Valley, Jack immigrated to Canada in 1952 to find work. Margaret, Lindis and Nancy followed to Canada in 1953 and settled in Calgary. Over the next several years, the family moved around Alberta as Jack’s career required several transfers. During that time, Margaret worked as a secretary for different companies, and at some point she decided she would become a teacher. In 1960, while living in Edmonton, Margaret began her teaching career, teaching English and social studies to grade 8 students; she was 35. In 1962, they moved to Lethbridge and in 1967 they moved back to Calgary. Through this time, Margaret continued to teach grade 8 and grade 9 Language Arts. In Calgary, Margaret taught at F.E Osborne, became assistant principal at Balmoral, became principal at Rosedale and continued to Bob Edwards where she would finish her teaching career. Her husband, Jack, passed away in 1984 and Margaret retired from teaching in 1988. Once retired, Margaret found that she was busier than ever. For many years she spent her time travelling, volunteering and spending time with family. She volunteered during the 1988 winter Olympics, assisting the foreign press to access the internet to transmit the stories to their home countries. Margaret also volunteered and the Calgary Police Service, at the detachment in Market Mall. Margaret volunteered at the Calgary airport as a White Hatter, greeting and assisting foreign travellers. She took pride in being a part of a world famous organization that is known for their kindness and hospitality. Margaret took many trips herself, visiting Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom several times each. She loved to experience the foreign cultures and took many photos of her trips. She would always return with many souvenirs for her friends and family. Margaret’s most favourite thing to do was to spend time with family. She loved to travel with family, but also loved to do things closer to home. A hiking trip with her granddaughters or a trip to Expo 88 in Vancouver with her grandsons became a few of her best memories. As Margaret got older, she travelled less but she still loved to be with family. For many of her remaining years, her most cherished time was weekend dinners spent with her family. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Jack, her sisters Nancy Hamilton and Corrine Lofthouse and her parents Alice and Joseph Nicholson. She is survived by her daughter Lindis (Mark), her grandsons Joseph (Marge) and Arthur (Sheila) and her granddaughters Rebecca (Alex) and Rachel, and her great grandchildren Josh, Mykaela, Dan, Jack and James. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North) on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. She will be laid to rest in Queen’s Park Cemetery, by her late husband Jack. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Margaret Elliott, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.