Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth Johnston

April 3, 1934 - Milford, Ireland

April 14, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Margaret Elizabeth Johnston of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 14, 2023, at the age of 89 years, with her family by her side.

Margaret (Betty) was born in Milford, Co. Donegal, Ireland on April 3, 1934, but grew up in Bray, Co. Wicklow. Margaret graduated from the Dublin School of Physiotherapy in 1955. She practiced at several hospitals in Ireland including Fairy Hill Hospital in Howth, Belfast City Hospital and Musgrave Park Hospital in Belfast.  She worked in pediatrics, as well as with adults and seniors with orthopedic and neurological difficulties. In Belfast, Margaret met the love of her life, Colin. They were married in August of 1967. It was an exciting year as they immigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada in September of 1967, where Colin took a position at the University of Calgary.

Margaret and Colin shared many interests. They both loved classical music and the arts. They spent many years attending the Calgary Philharmonic, the Calgary Opera, the Alberta Ballet, and more recently the MET Opera broadcasts. They also had a love for travel and enjoyed many trips to places in Europe, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.  Together they enjoyed the outdoors; especially hiking in the Canadian Rockies and the European Alps, along with many sailing trips through the Gulf Islands. A place that was very special to Margaret was the family cottage at Gray Creek on Kootenay Lake. It was their second home where many summers were spent with family and friends.

Margaret was a fantastic cook and baker.  She loved gardening and was an avid bird watcher and naturalist. She loved a good book and solving puzzles. She used her talents to knit and sew many wonderful things for friends and family over the years. Margaret also enjoyed archery in her youth in Ireland. She spent many a day on the Riondel Golf Course with her friends from Ladies’ Day. She was an active member at the Calgary Winter Club, enjoying badminton and other activities. She volunteered with the Girl Guides of Canada when her girls were young and was part of the Faculty Women’s Club at the University of Calgary.

Margaret was an amazing mother. The most important thing in her life was her family. She was completely dedicated to her daughters; always remaining calm and patient. She was also a caring grandmother who loved her grandchildren deeply, and enjoyed baking, reading, and playing games with them.

Margaret will be lovingly remembered and missed by her family.  She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Colin; her daughters Cara (Kelly) and Fiona (Ché); her four grandchildren Spencer and Kenton Kaup, and Felix and Xavier Elkin; her brother Brian (Sara) McMurry and nephews Andrew (Meggy) and Nicholas (Siobhán). Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Edith McMurry.

We would like to thank the staff from The Calgary Fall Prevention Clinic, Home Instead, and Cambridge Manor for their care and compassion during Margaret’s illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 11:00am at the Gray Creek Hall in Gray Creek, BC. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.  In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Foodbank, The Brenda Stafford Foundation, The Gray Creek Hall Society by etransfer graycreekhall@gmail.com or a cheque to Gray Creek Hall Society, Box 4, Gray Creek, BC V0B 1S0, or to a local charity of your choice.

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