Obituary of Margaret Rose Birdsell

July 27, 1939 – Calgary, Alberta

January 14, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Margaret “Margie” Rose (Berezowski) Birdsell (nee Crosland), was born on July 27, 1939 at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary to Cecil George and Mabel Neuman Crosland. She died peacefully in Calgary, AB on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at the age of 84 years, with her children by her side.

Margie embraced a lifelong passion for figure skating that took her across the globe as a competitive skater and judge, yet her heart always found its way back to her cherished hometown of Calgary.  She began skating at the age of seven at the Glencoe Club in Calgary. As a teenager, she ventured to Winnipeg to be coached by the Swiss Olympian, Hans Gerschwiler. In Winnipeg, Margie boarded at a local rooming house and spent long days training at the Winter Club. She spent her summers at the rink in Schumacher, ON. Talented and determined, Margie excelled at skating. In 1957, she won the Junior Canadian National Championship. Then, in 1958 and 1959, she won consecutive titles as Senior Canadian National Champion.

After retiring from competitive skating, Margie attended and graduated from the University of British Columbia. She married and moved back to Calgary where she focused on raising three children.

Margie's commitment to figure skating nonetheless endured, as she turned her attention to judging. She officiated numerous local, national and international competitions, including five world figure skating championships and the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Additionally, she served as Assistant Coach to Canada’s team at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. Margie's dedication to the sport of figure skating was recognized in 1978 when she was awarded the Alberta Government Achievement Award. In 1983, she was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, and just this past summer, she was inducted into the Skate AB|NT|NU Hall of Fame for her contribution to judging.

In 1999, Margie was re-introduced to Douglas Birdsell, whom she married in 2005. Margie and Doug’s years together were filled with joy, marked by shared adventures in travel, boating, fishing, and time spent with family and friends.

Margie was diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) in 2022. Displaying the same strength and determination that defined her on the ice, she bravely lived the best life that she could with this rare debilitating disease.

Margie is predeceased by her husband Douglas Birdsell, her parents, her sister Donna Blight, and her brother James, who died in infancy. Margie is survived by her younger brother John Crosland (Megan) of Calgary, and her children, Nan Berezowski (Leonardo Carbone) of Toronto, Jill Berezowski (Michael Hirano) of Vancouver, and Michael Berezowski (Vanessa) of Victoria. She will be missed by her five grandchildren, Natalie Carberi, Drew and Kai Hirano, and Finlay and Jai Berezowski. Also mourning her passing are her niece, Corinne Keough, Doug's son Mark Birdsell, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jane and Dale Birdsell, her lifelong friend Laurie Mader, and many other family members and friends.

Margie's children would like to thank Dr. Dempsey and Dr. Mahotra for their compassionate care during Margie’s final two years with MSA. They would also like to thank the staff, management and residents of Staywell Manor at Garrison Woods for their care, support and comradery.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) at McGill University, 3801 University Street, Montreal, QC H3A 2B4, Telephone 514-398 1958, https://www.alumni.mcgill.ca/give/index.php?new=1&formtype=MNI.

At Margie's request, there will be no funeral. Please join us for a Celebration of Margie’s Life held at McInnis & Holloway (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may also be shared and viewed with Margaret’s family here.

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