Obituary of Margaret Kuyt

January 26, 1930 – Glamorganshire, Wales

January 7, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with heavy hearts that the family announces the peaceful passing of Margaret Kuyt, with family by her side, on Sunday, January 7, 2024. 

Margaret was born the youngest of five children, to David John Edwards and Margaret Jane Edwards in the small coal mining village of Hirwaun in South Wales, UK.  Being the youngest by eight years and living in a small village she enjoyed the freedom to explore and be adventuresome, which led to many of her future choices and life experiences. Living through the Second World War had many challenges, with two of her brothers fighting in the armed forces and she and those at home living with food rationing and air raid sirens, but the family came through the war strong and intact.

At the age of seventeen, Margaret took part in a high school exchange program to the Netherlands which changed her life, as she met a handsome Dutch boy, Willem Kuyt, whom she married in 1954, after both had completed their educations.  With limited opportunities for the future in post-war Europe, the two ventured out and emigrated to Canada, settling in Calgary in 1955, where they raised three children in suburban, now inner-City NW Calgary.

Margaret was a woman ahead of her time, a professional career woman (one of the first speech therapists in Calgary), and an avid community volunteer, as well as a great mother, friend, homemaker, and cook. She was well travelled, extremely well-read, open-minded, and far more progressive than many of her generation.  She enjoyed good conversations, tea, and meals with her many friends and acquaintances with discussions about almost any subject, but especially books, music, travel, and world events.  Right to the very end, Margaret’s mind was sharp and she could recall everything she had ever known and was still enjoying audio books, good food, and lively conversations with those around her.

Left to mourn this extraordinary life well lived are her children Averil Trapp (Norm), Adam Kuyt (Nina) and Andrew Kuyt (Janet); grandchildren Samantha Neshine, Alex Todd (Francesca), John Kuyt (Katherine), Jill Jacobson (Peter) and Holly Kuyt; and great-grandchildren who will miss their GG, Ella and Carter Neshine, Charlotte and Florence Kuyt and Abbigail Todd.  Margaret was predeceased by both her parents, all four of her siblings, and her infant son William John.

The family would like to truly thank the wonderful and compassionate caregivers from the Addenbrook wing of Cambridge Manor for making Margaret’s last years, and particularly her last difficult days, as comfortable as possible.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will follow at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mrs. Kuyt’s service streamed live on the day of the service (see below). For those who are unable to view live, a recording of the service will be posted. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Margaret’s family here. 

In living memory of Margaret Kuyt, 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.

Click here to view the service folder for Margaret Kuyt

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