Margaret Elizabeth Thompson

Margaret Elizabeth Thompson was Born in the seaside town of Whitby, England on 2nd June 1932. She was the eldest daughter of Thomas Thompson, a fisherman, and Mary Elizabeth Smith, who worked as a seamstress. Margaret attended St. Mary’s Primary School in Whitby from 1938 to 1945, where she excelled in literature and mathematics.

At the age of 16, Margaret worked as a clerk at the Whitby Harbor Master’s office while studying for her secretarial certification. In 1952, she married her childhood sweetheart, James Robert Wilson, at St. Hilda’s Church in a beautiful ceremony attended by the whole village. They had three children together: Robert James in 1953, Elizabeth Mary in 1955, and Thomas Michael in 1958.

In 1960, the family emigrated to Canada and settled in Brampton, Ontario, seeking better opportunities. Margaret worked as a secretary at the Brampton City Hall for over twenty years, becoming known for her dedication and organisational skills. She attended evening classes at Sheridan College during the 1970s, earning her bookkeeping diploma at the age of 45.

Margaret was deeply involved in her community, volunteering at the Brampton Food Bank every Saturday for fifteen years. She also served as treasurer for the St. Andrew’s United Church women’s auxiliary and organized the annual charity bazaar that raised thousands for local families in need.

The family moved to a larger home on Heritage Drive in 1975, where Margaret cultivated a magnificent garden that became the envy of the neighbourhood. She grew prize-winning roses and vegetables, sharing her harvest with neighbours and teaching gardening to local children.

In her later years, Margaret became passionate about genealogy, spending countless hours researching the Thompson and Smith family histories. She discovered ancestors dating back to the 1600s and compiled detailed family trees that became treasured heirlooms for future generations.

After James passed away in 2010, Margaret remained independent in her beloved home until 2022. She then moved to Sunset Manor, a care facility in Chesterfield, where she was known for her warm smile and endless stories about her adventures in England and Canada.

Margaret passed away peacefully at Chesterfield General Hospital on 15th March 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was 92 years old. Her legacy lives on through her children, eight grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren, who remember her as a woman of strength, compassion, and unwavering faith who touched countless lives throughout her remarkable journey.