MARGARET ELLEN CAMERON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARGARET ELLEN CAMERON Born August 14, 1910 in Winnipeg. Passed away peacefully at her home in Victoria, BC, Wednesday, November 14, 2001. She leaves to mourn her brothers, W.C. Massey in Victoria and J.R. Cameron in Winnipeg; and sister Donna Jean Noddin in Nanaimo; along with several nieces and nephews and their numerous children. Margarets chosen profession was nursing. After graduating as an RN from the Winnipeg General Hospital in 1933, she did private nursing for four years. Then she accepted the post of resident nurse at a prestigious prep school for boys in Connecticut (Avon Old Farms School) and served there four years. Margaret then decided to further her education: she moved to New York City and enrolled in Science at Columbia University while working full time at St. Lukes Hospital. She earned both Bachelor and Master degrees (BS in 1945 and MS in 1947). During this period, her duties at St. Lukes evolved to science instructor for four years and then Assistant Director of Nursing Education for a further four years. Winnipeg beckoned and Margaret returned home to become Assistant Director of Nursing at the Winnipeg General for a year before becoming Director of Nursing, which position she held for 13 years (possibly a record tenure in that position). After she retired, she came to British Columbia to explore the coast, but found Prince Rupert needed somebody able to be Director of Nursing at a new regional hospital. After four years, she retired again, settling in Victoria where she purchased an apartment in which she lived the rest of her days. Margaret was justly proud of her accomplishments and of making her own way in the world. She earned considerable respect from her student nurses and her peers. She was known to be a feisty advocate for nurses rights and she always stood her ground. Arrangements are for cremation, at Margarets request. There will be no service. A reception will be held on Monday, November 26 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Colony Park Manor where she resided, 1680 Poplar Avenue in Victoria. Flowers gratefully declined. Donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in memorial.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 24, 2001