Margaret Laird
Posted Aug 16, 2021 | 9:54 AM
One hundred and one year’s encompasses the life of Margaret, one could write a book, but we will try to write our Mother’s story.
Born in the industrial heart of England, in the city of Birmingham to Eliza and Thomas Tillyer the last of three children. She received a good education starting at 4 years and finished by 14 and was working full time by 15. She was a comptometer operator but with the Second World War raging, she joined the RAF in the summer of 1941.
During that time she met and married a Canadian soldier, Beecher Laird. She was honourably discharged in December 1943 when she became pregnant.
In February 1946, she left her parents and brother and taking her 19 month old son, and a suitcase, took the train to London.
The Canadian Army met the hundreds of war brides and put them up in hotels. There they took buses to Southampton and boarded the Cunard Liner Mauretania arriving at Halifax’s Pier 19 to be admitted to Canada. The army put the new immigrants on a special train and seven days later Margaret met her new family in Regina Sask.
The following year, Margaret & Beecher went to live on 300 acres just across the river from Fenton. 30 acres cleared, no electricity, no running water and no neighbours with in ¾ of a mile. This began 45 years of living and helping farm while raising 6 children.
Margaret mastered the wood stove and cooked many wonderful meals. Her bread and cinnamon buns were awesome. She grew a large garden but flowers were a necessary part.
In July 1989 she started a new chapter in her life. Moving to the “big city” of Prince Albert, where she remained for the rest of her life.
She loved to travel, logging many bus miles and jet trips, as well as the odd cruise. She was a member of the Prince Albert Legion #002 and also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary; she also sang with the Legionnaires. Margaret was also chosen to represent Two Miles For Mary twice.
Left to mourn her passing, are her six children, Eldon (Julie), Terry (Chris), Gail, Jon (Marion), Helen (Arlo) and Tony (Debbie); her grandchildren, Andrew, Martin (Anita), Jonathan, Barret, Janine, Christine (Dean), Jenny, Connie, Justin (Karen), Bridget (Darren), Jill (James), Jim (Maren), Tom, Jeff, Curt (Christine), Phil (Kendra), and Kate (Greg), Stephen and Brian; her great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Liam, Claire, Alex (Brad), Luke (Naomi), Landon, Damon, Dante, Dominic, Campbell, Cerys, Jon, Will, Kaeley, Konner, Parker, Ethan, Isaac, Isabelle, Evelyn, Kenzie, Rhett, Rowan; and great-great grandchildren, Isaac and Elena; her sisters-in-law, Patricia Laird and Janice Bonsant; numerous nephews, nieces and their families; as well as other extended family. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Tom and Eliza (nee Midwinter) Tillyer; and two brothers, Tom and Charles Tillyer.
Special thank you to Margaret’s friend and caregiver, Diane Gaudet.
The Graveside Service for Margaret will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 21, 2021 in the Veteran’s Field at South Hill Cemetery with Veteran Honours, with Archdeacon Andrew Hoskin officiating. Online condolences may be left at https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/riverpark/obituaries/margaret-laird/61669 . Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, (306) 764-2727, Don Moriarty, Funeral Director.
Today my spirit flows free
Down the river
Away to the sea.
A grain of me in the ocean
Wide and cold – I roam
Finally on old England shore,
I, at last am home.
- Date : 2021-01-26
- Location : Prince Albert, SK