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MARGARET ALMA STRACHAN
Born: Oct 27, 1942
Date of Passing: Feb 21, 2026
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryMARGARET ALMA STRACHAN
Margaret’s remarkable life of service, faith and generosity came to a peaceful end on February 21, 2026, surrounded by her family and received into the arms of the risen Christ.
She was predeceased by her mother Inez Hazzard, brothers, Alban, Claude, Martin, and Walwin, sister Sybil, and many other family in Grenada, Trinidad, and Canada.
Left to mourn her are her husband Jerome, son Larry (Zilla Jones) and daughter Leisha, grandsons, Jericho and Kamil, brother Peter (Babsie), nephew Tony, niece Wendy, and members of the Hazzard and Strachan families here and abroad.
Margaret was born in Vincennes, St. David’s, Grenada, and upon completing her schooling, she became a teacher. She married Jerome Strachan on June 30, 1968, and shortly after, they decided to leave everything and everyone behind and emigrate to Canada in October 1968. Margaret persevered through many slammed doors and the hardships of life as an immigrant, overcoming many obstacles. After working several jobs in health care and office administration, she went back to school when her children were still young and earned her Education degree from the University of Manitoba.
Margaret then taught at Gordon Bell High School, working with students requiring support to ensure their inclusion. She changed the lives of many of her students, some of whom were also immigrants or refugees.
Margaret was actively engaged with her community. As a woman of deep faith, her spiritual home was St. John XXIII Parish, where she served as a lector and Eucharistic minister for many years, and also taught catechism and sat on the finance committee. She was a member of the Queen of Peace prayer group at Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church and held the position of treasurer. She was also an Associate of the Child Jesus.
Margaret was a founding member of the Grenadian Association of Manitoba, and of the Council of Caribbean Organizations of Manitoba. She gave countless volunteer hours to the Grenadian community in Winnipeg and to the wider Caribbean community, organizing events, fundraising, and supporting families in need. She was instrumental in making the Caribbean Cultural Centre a reality. Margaret served as an Ambassador of the Caribbean Pavilion of Folklorama, and was elected to the Board of the Folk Arts Council of Manitoba.
She unfailingly supported her children, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, nieces and nephews and community members in everything they did and took pride in their accomplishments. She was a "baton mom", travelling the world with Leisha for various baton twirling competitions, and she was a hardworking member of the Board of Larry’s organization, Chamber Orchestra Without Borders. Her home was always a welcoming place for anyone in need, where many people gathered to enjoy her Caribbean cooking and her legendary black cake at Christmas. She returned to Grenada on many occasions to take care of sick and dying family members.
Margaret received numerous awards for her community work, including a 2025 King Charles III medal, a Premier’s Award for Volunteerism, a 2006 Award of Excellence from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, a 2024 Harambee Award from the Africa-Caribbean Association of Manitoba, and many more. We will miss her generosity, her laugh and her incredible stories.
Thanks to all the friends and family who cared for us during Margaret’s last hours and the time afterward, and to the staff at Health Sciences Centre.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at St. John XXIII Parish, 3390 Portage Avenue, with private interment to follow. A reception will be held at the church following the mass. Viewing will take place at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, 4000 Portage Avenue on Friday, March 6, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Flowers can be sent directly to Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. John XXIII Church or a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 28, 2026
