Margaret Saunderson of Champion, Alberta passed away Wednesday, December 1, 2004 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 80 years.
Margaret was born December 5, 1923 at Moston, Manchester, England to Robert and Edith (Grimes) Telford. She attended school in England. In her youth Margaret played badminton. She married George Walter Saunderson on May 17, 1941. He was a paratrooper in the British Army and was from Northern Ireland. In January, 1942, she moved to Northern Ireland to live with George’s parents on their farm near Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
Margaret’s husband was shot and killed by the I.R.A. in 1974. She joined the Ulster Defense Regiment in 1975 as a Green Finch and served for five and one half years. Margaret immigrated to Canada in 1986 and resided in Champion.
Margaret considered her move to Canada the best decision she ever made. She loved to go to Waterton National Park and watch the wildlife. Margaret liked playing cards, watching tennis on TV, traveling and going to the theater. One of Margaret’s unattainable wishes, was to travel to Alaska. Margaret also liked to collect things such as stamps. She was a member of the Merry Widows and the Women’s Institute.
Loving mother of two daughters Irene (Malcolm) Paterson of Dundee, Scotland, Vivienne (Barry) Garner of Abbotsford, BC, four sons Jim (Helen) and Bill (Myrtle) all of Champion, Johnny (Sigi) of Belfast, Northern Ireland and Ian of Warrington, Cheshire, England, fifteen grandchildren Leonie Paterson of Edinburgh, Scotland, Dr. Gail (John) Birchan, Neil Paterson both of Dundee Scotland, Deborah, Tanya, Sarah-Jane, Roy and Mark all of Champion, Kayleigh of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jamie, Cassie, Natasha, Roy, Tony, Paul and their mother Chris of Warrington, Cheshire, England, two brothers-in-law Ivan (Joanne) Saunderson of Burnaby, BC and Jim (Dolly) Saunderson of Mission, BC and numerous nieces and nephews.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband George, a son Roy, her sister Dorothy and a sister-in-law Ethel.
Memorial service was held Monday, December 6, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. at the Champion Congregational Church in Champion with Pastor Wayne Lee officiating.
Inurnment to follow at a later date in the Tidworth Military Cemetery, Whiltshire, England.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Margaret’s memory can be made to either the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 1825 Park Road SE Calgary T2G 3Y6, Alberta Cancer Foundation, 1331 – 29 Street NW Calgary T2N 4N2 or Canadian Diabetes Association, Calgary & District Branch, 1005, 7500 Macleod Trail SE Calgary T2H 0L9.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.