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Marguerite Isabel Mitchell (nee McNutt)

June 25, 2018

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June 30, 1922 - June 25, 2018
It is with great sorrow that the family shares their loss of a remarkable woman. Marguerite Isabel, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away five days before her 96th birthday.

She will be remembered with profound love and gratitude by her children, Dennis (Barbara), Greg (Direne), and Maureta (Guy); grandchildren Dara (Todd), Dayna, Brett, Scott, Ryan, Karen, Dawn, and great grandson Theron. She was predeceased by her parents Seldon and Mabel, and brothers John, Ross and Malcolm.

Marguerite's greatest sorrow was the loss of her son Robin in 1987. In addition to her three children, she is survived by sisters Thelma, Vivian and Bertha, many nieces and nephews, and extended family in Nova Scotia.

Marguerite was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, eldest child to Seldon and Mabel McNutt. She grew up on a farm in the 1930's and, being the oldest child, she developed a strong work ethic. She was a voracious reader which propelled her to finish high school a year early.

Even as a youngster, she learned what responsibility meant and was innately helpful and caring so it was no surprise Marguerite sought nursing as a career. She enrolled in nurses training at Saskatoon City Hospital and in March 1944 received her Registered Nursing designation and the years of 12 hour shifts, six days a week-while raising her own family after she married Cyril Davidson Mitchell-began. The young couple moved to Burnaby at the end of World War II.

Over the next few years four little Mitchells arrived. When husband Cyril became ill, Marguerite returned to full-time nursing. She was an akela for the Cliffe Avenue United Church Cub Pack, taught Sunday school, as well as wrote the church's history. As her children got older, Marguerite spread her talents between the family and several Lower Mainland hospitals: Mount St. Joseph, Willow Chest Center, Burnaby General Hospital, and Royal Columbian. Her indomitable spirit led her to a two-term presidency of the Burnaby Voters' Association.

Marguerite sought to achieve some of her unanswered dreams in 1977 and worked at small hospitals all over British Columbia, including Heiltsuk Nation, Bella Bella, and Tahsis and Kyacote on Vancouver Island.

Ever keeping an eye peeled for a retirement spot, she yearned for acreage where she could settle with horses and her dog. Marguerite chose a 15-acre property five miles outside of Barriere, BC. She ran the farm by herself, which included bucking wood with a chainsaw (eight cords a year!) that she had brought in from her own woods. Marguerite also volunteered in the Barriere community and kept her professional skills sharp by working weekly at the local diagnostic and treatment center. Additionally, she was occasionally needed at Clearwater Hospital or the Red Cross Outposts in Blue River and Edgewood. Marguerite loved it all.

She sold the property and moved to Langley, after which she purchased a condo in Abbotsford. Settling in, Marguerite continued her volunteer work, this time with the Learning Plus Society and the Abbotsford Blind and Visually Impaired Society. She helped the Peace Lutheran Church/The 5 and 2 Ministries feeding the homeless in Jubilee Park, and dedicated herself to both the Warm Zone and Penny's Place.

She prided herself on "always having a church home" and was a member of congregations of Sharon United in Langley and Trinity Memorial United in Abbotsford. As an active member of the United Church Women (UCW), Marguerite contributed her prayers, gifts, and services for the work of the Church.

Throughout her life Marguerite, a tireless woman, researched her McNutt ancestry back to 1692, and compiled her family's genealogy for her descendants.

Until the week before Marguerite passed, she enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, and attending Aqua-Fit each week. Several years ago, she reflected on her life: "I have many friends in all walks of life... where I go from here, only the Lord knows. It has been a good life."

In honouring Marguerite's wishes, she has been cremated. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11th at Trinity Memorial United Church in Abbotsford. She will be interred at Forest Lawn, Burnaby, in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Marguerite Mitchell's name to the Abbotsford Blind & Visually Impaired Society.

"A woman much loved, and a life well lived."



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