MARGARET LAING

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MARGARET LAING Margaret Laing (nee Harrison) passed away peacefully on January 9, 2006 at Crossroads Hospice in Port Moody, with her son Richard and daughter-in-law Ida at her side. She was born April 13, 1923 at Coatbridge, Scotland, the youngest in a family of 11 children. Serving as a sergeant in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, at locations in Scotland and Wales, she met and married Richard Laing. Richard Jr. was born in 1946, and later that year she and her infant son immigrated to Canada on the Queen Mary, to be reunited with her husband in Winnipeg. A second son Brian, was born in 1949. Margaret was inseparable from her husband Richard, and in later years she was his sometimes-paid-sometimes-not assistant in his duties of municipal treasurer. They were weekend golfers most of their lives, and Margaret was an avid curler. Their retirement years together involved a daily coffee ritual; spending time with Brian and his family; and annual visits to Yellowknife and British Columbia to see Richard Jr and his family. Grandchildren and card playing were central preoccupations. After the passing of her husband in 1992, Margaret divided her time between Manitoba and British Columbia. She is survived by her loving sons, Richard (and wife Ida) of Maple Ridge, BC, Brian (Glenborough, MB); six grandchildren (Charles, Chris, Kenny, Jaqueline, Candace and Nicholas); and eight great-grandchildren. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Richard; sisters Agnes, Mary, Violet, Annie, Helen and Jean; brothers, William, James, Thomas and John; and daughter-in-law Janet. Her humour and companionship will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. A memorial tea was held January 14 in Maple Ridge. Margaret will be buried beside her husband in Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, Winnipeg, in a family service. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Crossroads Inlet Centre Hospice, 4th Floor, 101 Noons Creek Dr., Port Moody, BC V3H 5J1.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 26, 2006