Obituary of Margaret Pollock

March 5, 1928 – Montreal, Quebec
September 25, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

After a long life lived in Montreal and Calgary, Margaret Mary Pollock died peacefully in Calgary, AB, on Saturday, September 25, 2021. 

Those that knew her called her Margaret, Marg, Mom, Mommy, Mags, Grandma, GG. Her children call her courageous, a heroine: The kind of person whose contributions to society go unnoticed – even though she lived almost a century. She went through life without making a big splash. Her obituary is the first time her name was in the newspaper. Like many women, she was courageous because she persevered. She accepted and understood that overcoming hardships is merely part of life. No more, no less. Something you just do. 

Margaret was born in Montreal on March 5, 1928 and was raised by her parents Isabelle and Frank Finn. Isabelle and Frank cherished Margaret as their only child and, as Margaret often said, she had a charmed childhood with holidays, piano lessons, fun-loving relatives, and above all, loving parents. She spent her childhood riding her bicycle, roller-skating and playing Kick-the-Can on the streets of Côte-des-Neiges. While attending Iona Academy in Ontario she formed long-term relationships that she maintained for life.

By the time she was 20 both Frank and Isabelle had died, and she married Ken Pollock. While raising Carol and Brian during the 1950s and 60s her creativity flourished – piano playing, sewing, knitting and stitchery. Her pictures, afghans, and Christmas stockings grace the homes of many family members. With a family move to Calgary in 1963, she missed her Montreal roots but joined bowling leagues and sewing groups to form new connections.

After her divorce from Ken in 1972, she was determined to become self-sufficient and got a job at the newly opened “Bay” in Market Mall where she worked until 1992. During this time she travelled, sang in choirs, volunteered at the Grace Hospital and welcomed many grandchildren and great-grandchildren into the family. Whether tobogganing, going down water slides, demonstrating techniques for blowing bubbles from chewing gum, or ice skating – she cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren by becoming a child with them. During the next part of her life, she moved onto other things – travelling to visit family and friends, volunteering as a White Hatter at the airport, swimming regularly, all the while staying strongly connected to family.

She leaves behind a treasury of life experiences for her daughter Carol (Allan), son Brian (Jane);  grandchildren, Ann Marie (Cam), Trevor (Veronika), Craig (Marla), Trevor (Amy), Jenny (Rob), Michael (Joanna), Matthew, Tammy (Jan), Tyler (Tiana), Kyle, Jewel (Troy), Sean; and great-grandchildren, Nik, Kade, Luca, Maya, Ava, Jason, Jahlee, Kyron, Tylerah, Christian, Evren, Zaida, Isabella;  her newly discovered sisters, Joy and Clara; and her nieces, June, Barb, and Ann.

Our hearts are broken but our spirits are buoyed by the example of Margaret’s courage, her resiliency, her determination, and her fun-loving nature. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date. Condolences, memories and photos may also be shared and viewed here. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Dulcina Hospice, where Margaret received exceptional care during the last six months of her life: 110 Evanspark Manor N.W., Calgary, Alberta T3P 0N4 Telephone: 587-230-5500.

In living memory of Margaret Pollock a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conversation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.