Obituary of Klara Elsa Margot van der Laag

February 4, 1933 – Wüstenrot, Germany

November 12, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Margot van der Laag in Calgary, AB, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. Margot was born in Wüstenrot, Germany, on February 4, 1933, the second daughter of Emmy and Emil Kirchner. She received her basic and high school education during the difficult WWII and post-war years in Germany. In 1953, she accepted her first full-time job in London, England. Although the job was originally planned for a year, she stayed for twenty-five years and made nursing her career. The last seven years that she lived in Europe, she settled in Brighton on the Sussex coast where she held the position of Director of Nurse Education. Meeting people and learning to help them gave her much joy; it was her life!

Margot was beginning to look for a new adventure. Her older sister Ruth with her growing family, invited Margot to Calgary in the spring of 1978. Margot received a work permit and took on the challenge of opening a new Calgary office for the Associate Clinic. Less than a year after arriving in Canada, big events impacted her life. She was offered a challenging position as Night Nursing Officer at Foothills Hospital. Soon after, she met the love of her life, the recently widowed J. Herman van der Laag, and his family of five grown children. Margot's mother had also come to Calgary for a visit to celebrate her 80th birthday, but unexpectedly passed away. After getting over the shock of her mother's death, Herman and Margot knew they were destined to marry.

Herman and Margot spent twenty-six busy and very happy years together. Margot retired from nursing and proudly accepted the job as Herman's assistant property manager. With the help of Herman, she also became quite proficient in reading and writing Dutch (not an easy language to master!).

After retirement, they loved to travel to visit friends and relatives in Europe, Canada, and the United States. They enjoyed taking long walks along the Bow River, just steps away from their home on Point McKay Drive. Margot also enjoyed classical music, especially opera. A family friend introduced Margot to the Kerby Recorder Club. She loved playing the tenor recorder with the group for ten years.

In 2000, Herman and Margot purchased their very first computer, which gave them the ability to communicate directly with distant family and friends in minutes. In 2023, her family organized a surprise party to celebrate her 90th birthday with family and friends. Margot's family and wonderful friends made her feel rich and grateful every waking day.

Margot was predeceased by her husband J. Herman van der Laag in November of 2005 and is survived by Herman's children, Elisabeth, Robert (Ginette), Peter (Steffi), Tom (Diane), and grandson Keegan (Brianna), and great-granddaughter Naomi, with another great-granddaughter due in February 2025. Herman (Nancy) and grandchildren; Nikki (Stephen) and great-grandchildren, Tristan and Mackenzie; Kathy (Craig) and great-grandchildren, Jake, Ethan, and Everett.

Margot was also predeceased by her sister Ruth in November of 2022, and is survived by Ruth's children, niece Heidi (Ruf), and great-nieces and great-nephews, Tracy, Laurie, Clifford (Nancy), and great-great-nephews, Jack and Kipling; and nephew Rolf (Linda) and their family of twenty-three.

The family would like to thank the staff at Manor Village for their dedication and support for Margot during her ten years at the Garrison Woods facility.

A Celebration of Margot’s Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Margot’s family here.

In living memory of Margot van der Laag, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes.