Obituary for Margaret Winifred Hill (Chandler)
Margaret Winifred Hill (nee Chandler)
Our Mum, Peggie, aged 91 passed away unexpectedly on Saturday June 4, 2016 in her suite in Tansley Woods Retirement Community, Burlington. Predeceased by our Dad, William Henry Hill in 2014, Mum is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Victor) son Robin (Marcia) and her grandson Christopher. Despite her age, Mum was full of life. We anticipated many more years with her. We are all shocked and devastated.
Mum was born on July 2nd, 1924 in London, England, the eldest daughter of Stephen and Margaret Chandler and the second of four children, Richard (Dickie), Mum, Donald (Don) and Dorothy (Doll). Mum was extremely proud of her Scottish ancestry on her mother’s side. Don and Dorothy were evacuated from England to Canada in 1940 and lived for the duration of the war on a farm in New Brunswick. It was their fond memories of those years that formed the initial catalyst behind the entire family’s move to Canada in the late 1940’s.
Mum “did her bit” during the war, repairing radio sets and assembling mine detectors. She subsequently joined the Bank of Montreal in London as a teller and it was in that capacity that she first met Dad. She stayed with the Bank as a teller in Montreal following the move to Canada.
Consistent with the times, Mum saw her role in life as a wife and a mother. She was very, very good at both. While patient and generous and loving, there was an inner strength to her that was either a safe harbour or, if her eyebrows were raised, a life lesson to be learned. Her resilience, strength of character and positive outlook on life endeared her to all who knew her. Mum loved children and, as the years advanced, she increasingly enjoyed a chat with a young person. She had a keen sense of humour and always appreciated a good laugh. Mum loved to sing and, even in her later years, retained a lovely voice. Hearing Mum break in to song around the house is an enduring memory.
As Dad’s life partner, Mum was able to travel where his career took him. In addition to Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Waterloo and finally Burlington, Mum and Dad lived overseas in Australia, the UK, and the Bahamas. They travelled extensively in Europe and Asia.
She was an accomplished hostess and organized many business functions on behalf of our father. She was an avid sewer and, later in life, showed an aptitude for painting.
While we will miss Mum enormously and we are heartbroken to lose her, we both realize how lucky we are to have had both our parents live such long and productive lives and that we are grateful to have had their love and guidance for so long. As per Peggie’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
Visitation at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stoplight north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Friday, June 10, 2016 from 12 noon until time of Service of Remembrance at 1 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel. Reception to follow. If desired, as an expression of sympathy, donations made to a charity of your choice would be sincerely appreciated by the family. www.smithsfh.com
Our Mum, Peggie, aged 91 passed away unexpectedly on Saturday June 4, 2016 in her suite in Tansley Woods Retirement Community, Burlington. Predeceased by our Dad, William Henry Hill in 2014, Mum is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Victor) son Robin (Marcia) and her grandson Christopher. Despite her age, Mum was full of life. We anticipated many more years with her. We are all shocked and devastated.
Mum was born on July 2nd, 1924 in London, England, the eldest daughter of Stephen and Margaret Chandler and the second of four children, Richard (Dickie), Mum, Donald (Don) and Dorothy (Doll). Mum was extremely proud of her Scottish ancestry on her mother’s side. Don and Dorothy were evacuated from England to Canada in 1940 and lived for the duration of the war on a farm in New Brunswick. It was their fond memories of those years that formed the initial catalyst behind the entire family’s move to Canada in the late 1940’s.
Mum “did her bit” during the war, repairing radio sets and assembling mine detectors. She subsequently joined the Bank of Montreal in London as a teller and it was in that capacity that she first met Dad. She stayed with the Bank as a teller in Montreal following the move to Canada.
Consistent with the times, Mum saw her role in life as a wife and a mother. She was very, very good at both. While patient and generous and loving, there was an inner strength to her that was either a safe harbour or, if her eyebrows were raised, a life lesson to be learned. Her resilience, strength of character and positive outlook on life endeared her to all who knew her. Mum loved children and, as the years advanced, she increasingly enjoyed a chat with a young person. She had a keen sense of humour and always appreciated a good laugh. Mum loved to sing and, even in her later years, retained a lovely voice. Hearing Mum break in to song around the house is an enduring memory.
As Dad’s life partner, Mum was able to travel where his career took him. In addition to Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Waterloo and finally Burlington, Mum and Dad lived overseas in Australia, the UK, and the Bahamas. They travelled extensively in Europe and Asia.
She was an accomplished hostess and organized many business functions on behalf of our father. She was an avid sewer and, later in life, showed an aptitude for painting.
While we will miss Mum enormously and we are heartbroken to lose her, we both realize how lucky we are to have had both our parents live such long and productive lives and that we are grateful to have had their love and guidance for so long. As per Peggie’s wishes, cremation has taken place.
Visitation at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stoplight north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333), on Friday, June 10, 2016 from 12 noon until time of Service of Remembrance at 1 p.m. in the Funeral Home Chapel. Reception to follow. If desired, as an expression of sympathy, donations made to a charity of your choice would be sincerely appreciated by the family. www.smithsfh.com
