Obituary of Margaret Evelyn Desroches

March 14, 1936 – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

March 31, 2021– Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Evelyn DesRoches announces her passing on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the age of 85 years.

Margaret was the youngest of seven children born in Prince Albert, SK, on March 14, 1936 to James and Agnes (Nettie) Forrest. In 1955 she married Raymond DesRoches and they moved to Whitehorse, YK where their six children were born.  After twenty years in the Yukon they moved to Fort Smith, NWT. During those years Margaret’s caring nature reached many in need.  She learned sign language to support a deaf child in the school system. Along with a partner she initiated a volunteer kindergarten program in the local indigenous community. She opened the first day care centre in Whitehorse.  In Fort Smith she operated a group home where she not only nurtured, but came to love the youth in her care.

Upon settling in Saskatoon she continued her career of caring for others. First by supporting disabled adults and later in a group home for young women where her loving nature enabled her to see the best in the youth she cared for.

In Margaret’s retirement years she took up cruising and loved every minute of adventure and travel.  She saw places she had always dreamed of visiting.  She met many wonderful people and made friends with whom she remained in contact.

Margaret delighted in her family and nothing gave her more joy than to be in the midst of her large, growing family surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved the family murder mystery games and delighted in getting in costume and character to deduce the ‘who-dun-it’.

Margaret embraced technology as a way of keeping in touch with her family, friends with whom she travelled, youth whose lives she had touched and extended family members across Canada,  Australia and Scotland. Social media, FaceTime and Zoom were tools she used to remain current about world events, to learn, to share and to tell her children and grandchildren that she loved them. She will be missed by many.

Margaret will be lovingly remembered by her six children, Donna (Ed), Jim (Liz), Ramona (Cameron), Zane (Pam), David and Mike (Bev); thirteen grandchildren, Amanda, Stephanie, Michelle, Brittany, Marcus, Danielle, Samantha, Carter, Corbin, Daniel, Megan, Willian and Sean; fourteen great-grandchildren, Cole, Caleb, Raymond, Owen, Jessica, Charly, Jack, August, Taylor, Callie, Bria, Kara, Dylan, and Sawyer. She is survived by her sister Jean Cook.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Raymond DesRoches and her siblings, Bell, Jim, Nell, Ella and Ken.

A memorial service will be held once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and friends and family can gather to remember and honour her life. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Margaret’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Margaret DesRoches, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.