Obituary of Margaret JAMES (nee Green)

June 5, 1930 - Sheffield, Yorkshire, England
May 6, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret James, of Calgary, AB, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

Margaret was born on June 5, 1930 in Sheffield, England, to Frank and Mary Ellen Green. After completing school Margaret worked as a stenographer at English Steel. She enjoyed live music and dancing, and it was at a local dance hall that she would meet Michael James.  They were married on March 13, 1954, and a week later set out for a new life in Canada aboard the Queen Elizabeth.

A woman of many skills, Margaret worked as a homemaker, secretary, and book keeper. Her creative talents included knitting, sewing, baking, cooking, petit point, cross stitch, paper tole, ceramics, and gardening. Margaret’s greatest joy and source of pride was her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who loved spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed travelling with Michael to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand, and especially loved the enduring and treasured friendships made along the way.

Margaret is survived by her loving husband Michael, her son Neil of Calgary, and daughters Helen Carbajal of Calgary and Alison Gillis of Airdrie; her five grandchildren, Jessica Gillis of Airdrie, Eric Gillis (Kim Smith), Laura Carbajal (Pete Pippard), Amanda (Michael) Whiting, and Maria Carbajal (Stephan Sander), all of Calgary.

She was predeceased by her parents, Mary Ellen and Frank Green; her five brothers, Frank, Tom, Vincent, Edmund, and Tony; and her three sisters, Mary Green, Lily Moran and Joan Cockerill. 

A Celebration of Margaret’s Life is anticipated at a future date when it is safe for family and friends to get together. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Margaret’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 200, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca or to the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank Society, 5000 – 11 Street S.E., Calgary, AB T2H 2Y5, Telephone: (403) 253-2059, www.calgaryfoodbank.com. 

In living memory of Margaret James, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis and Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.