Obituary of Marguerite Ann Moore

September 24, 1933 – Swalwell, Alberta

April 26, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Marguerite Ann Moore passed away on April 26th, 2023, in her University Heights home of 57 years, with her beloved family by her side.

Mom was born in a small farmhouse in the hamlet of Swalwell, Alberta on September 24th, 1933. Her dad, Alan Orr, was a farmer and her mother, Clara (nee Henderson), was a nurse by education and training.

The couple had children later in life, and were thrilled with the arrival of Mom, followed five years later by her sister Joy. Mom had fond memories playing with the piglets, riding her pony as a child, and following her dad everywhere as he did his daily farm chores. She, her parents, and her younger sister enjoyed farm life until her dad passed away in motor vehicle accident when Mom was only 10.

Mom, Joy, and their mother moved to Calgary in the mid-1940’s and lived in the district of South Calgary where Mom attended Central Collegiate Institute, the original Central Memorial High School. Mom went on to attend the University of Alberta, and received a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Mathematics. This was quite a feat for a woman in the mid 50’s and she was one of a handful of women in her graduating class. Mom also obtained an ARCT diploma in piano and was an accomplished pianist.

After graduating from university, she worked as a geophysicist with Mobil Oil Canada, a field with very few women in 1957. It was there that she caught the eye of a handsome young geologist. In his memoirs, Dad recounts meeting Mom and being very impressed with the “lovely looking girl with nice legs”. Mom and Dad were married on Valentines Day, February 14th, 1959. Five children arrived in the 60’s, and Marguerite ran a busy, loving household. Education was a priority for Mom and Dad, and Mom was the master planner for everyone’s schedules which included various music lessons, speech arts classes, French language education, and even took us to ‘Mom and tot’ swimming lessons despite having a lifelong fear of the water.

The Kiwanis Festival was a big part of our childhoods, and Mom somehow managed to manage the schedule when all five of us were competing in various classes. In 1980 Mom explored her interest in literacy, as she was a lifelong learner, by attending the University of Calgary and completed a B. Ed. after teaching degree.

Mom was an accomplished pianist and began teaching piano privately as the children got older. She continued teaching until her retirement in her early 80’s. She was a sought-after, well-known, and respected piano teacher in the city.

Above all else, Mom was an incredible listener. Many, many people have considered her a valuable friend and mentor. Her children and grandchildren have often referred to her as the smartest woman they have ever known. Marguerite was exceptionally bright, had a wicked sense of humour, and a sarcastic wit that remained right up until very shortly before her death. Mom loved classical music, cryptic crossword puzzles, her, and Dad’s retirement home at Lac Brûlé in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec, watching sports, drinking Scotch and her beloved Vizsla’s.

Later she took great pleasure with all of her children and some grandchildren becoming ‘puppy parents’. At last count there were eight grand-puppies in the family.

Mom was predeceased by Barry in December 2021, her loving husband of 62 years. Mom was a devoted daughter to Alan and Clara. She is survived by her beloved sister Joy. Mom was cherished by her children Carolyn, Lisa, Alison, Nick, and Tony. Derek, Keith, and Julie could have not asked for a better mother-in-law. Nana was incredibly proud of her eight grandchildren: Bryce, Samantha, Jaclyn, Carson, Brendan, Kells, Esmé and Grayson. She was proud to be an Aunt to Noreen, Ben, and a great-aunt to their families. Mom is remembered as a mentor to countless piano students, and a trusted friend to untold others. Mom was one of a kind. She will be missed immeasurably.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Supriya Goyal for her dedicated care of Mom.

There will be no funeral, per Mom’s request, but the family is planning a ‘Celebration of Life’ to honor both Mom and Dad, which will be held on July 23rd, 2023. Please contact one of the family members for more information about this event. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.