Obituary of Margaret Yvonne Herman

July 12, 1925 – Glasgow, Scotland

November 12, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Margaret Yvonne Herman passed away peacefully in her home, at the ripe old age of 99 years on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, surrounded by her family and friends.

Margaret had an amazing life. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on July 12, 1925, she spent the entirety of her teenage years living through the horrors of WWII. She recalled the family gathered around the radio to listen to the inspiring speeches of Winston Churchill calling upon his nation to stand firm against the invading horde. She remembered the day a German submarine slipped through the nets guarding the Clyde and blew up a French warship. She participated in greeting the troop ships coming from Canada and the United States filled with soldiers that would invade Normandy on D-Day. It is noteworthy that her future husband, Harry, was on one of those ships and one ponders if their paths crossed, however briefly.

Throughout this time, she attended school in Glasgow and eventually earned a degree in physiotherapy. Her father, a sea captain, promised she could see the world after the war. Her first stop was Toronto, ON, followed by a position at the Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, about a year later. It was in Vancouver where she met her husband, Harry Herman, which immediately put an end to her around-the-world tour.

About a year after marriage, Harry was transferred to set up and manage the Calgary, AB, office for his investment firm, and Calgary became her lifetime home. Margaret and Harry were members of the Calgary Golf and Country Club and the Glencoe Club, where they enjoyed golf and many other activities and met and made many close friends. After Harry retired, they bought a home in the Arizona desert where they wintered for many years until Harry passed away in 1997.

Margaret was most proud of her two sons, Robert and Brian, daughter-in-law Shelley, and their families. She leaves behind five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She leaves this world with no regrets, and truly lived her life to her motto “You only get out of life what you put into it.”

A Celebration of Margaret’s Life will be held at the Calgary Golf & Country Club (1 block west of the intersection of Elbow Drive & 50th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

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

In living memory of Margaret Herman, 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.