Margaret EDGAR

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EDGAR: Margaret Stevenson Edgar (nee Campbell) passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 with her family and her minister by her side. Margaret, “Marg” to her friends, was born in Kincardine on Forth, Alloa, Scotland on November 14, 1933, the daughter of Annie and David Campbell. After graduating from Dunfermline High School, Margaret went to Edinburgh to complete her 3 year Teacher Training at Moray House Training College. She also successfully completed all theory and piano examinations for Royal Academy of Music in London, England. Margaret loved teaching children and held five different teaching certificates: Scotland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick and Manitoba. Her first teaching position, which she held for four years, was in Scotland at Clackmannan Primary School. In 1956, she met the love of her life, John Edgar, a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force who was on leave in Scotland from his posting in France. On Mother’s Day, 1958, they returned to Canada and were married on June 28, 1958 in Birtle, Manitoba. The couple were posted to CFB Greenwood in 1959 and Marg taught Grades I and II there until 1964. From 1969-1974, Margaret taught Kindergarten at Harts Corner School in Trenton, Ontario and when the family was posted to New Brunswick in 1974, she taught both Music and Kindergarten at Canadian Forces School (CFS) St. Margaret’s, in Chatham, New Brunswick. During her time here, Margaret was especially proud to earn her four-year Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Brunswick. 1980 saw the family posted again, this time to CFB Southport near Portage La Prairie. Marg worked in Portage at the Manitoba Developmental Centre and then out on base teaching Kindergarten. In 1982, the family settled in Brandon and Margaret became a nursery school teacher at the Small World Nursery School, where she stayed until 1990. Brandon University was her last teachingposition; here she taught pre-school children in the Psychology Department. At the same time, she was also a Special Needs Assistant for the Brandon School Division. After retirement, Marg became very busy. She was a member of Heather Club, Crown Jewel Society and Eastern Star - Queen Mary Chapter No.3. Marg was also a devoted member, Elder and Clerk of Session of First Presbyterian Church, Brandon. She took part in nearly all Church activities - from book clubs to Scripture lessons to knitting groups; making prayer shawls for those in need and newborn caps for babies ready to leave hospital. Margaret was most happy when volunteering. She went weekly to places like Fairview Home, Assiniboine Centre and Riverheights Terrace to play piano for the residents, whether for Service or sing-along. Her kitchen always smelled delicious as she cooked up meals and soups to take to Helping Hands. She also found great joy in helping her friends in the Ethiopian community and in helping to keep the Church garden looking beautiful. Margaret enjoyed music, singing, bowling, reading, crosswords, travelling and, mostly, gardening, as could be seen in her backyard. In recent years, she took immense pride in watching the success of her son's band as he sang lead vocals and in travelling to distant places with her daughter. Margaret was predeceased by her loving husband, Mcpl. John Edgar (ret.d), and is survived by her cherished children Michael and Susan. She will be greatly missed by her brother, Robert Campbell and his wife Pearl of Pinehurst, North Carolina and their children Lorna (Mike) Martin and daughter Mia; Fiona; Scott. Also left to mourn are many relatives and friends, both in North America and Scotland. Funeral service was held on Monday, February 20, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church with interment following in the Brandon Cemetery. Friends who wish may make a donation in memory of Margaret to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3-824-18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba R7A 5B7. Arrangements were with Memories Chapel and Pre-planning Centre 727-0330.“The clock of life is wound but once,And no man has the power,To tell just where the hands will stop'At early or late hourThe present only is our own,Live, love, work with a will,Place no faith in tomorrow,For the clock may then be still.”

As published in Brandon Sun on Mar 03, 2012