Margot passed away at home on Friday January 30, 2009. Love was all around her. She had been living courageously with cancer for over six years. Left to cherish her memory are her life companion, Melany; her brothers and sisters, Blair, Myra, Bill, Marsha, Stephen, David, Robyn and their families; her large extended family; Richard Hewitt, and many dear friends and colleagues. Margot is predeceased by her father Glen Thomas and by her mother Marion Thomas (Garraway).
Margot was born in Vancouver, the eldest of eight children. She was always very dedicated to her family, helping nurture and support her siblings, and guiding her nieces and nephews as they grew up.
She graduated from UBC with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Education and with a Master of Arts in Education. During her career as an educator, Margot taught students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. She was a music teacher, a Learning Resource teacher, a District Coordinator of Special Education, a Vice Principal at Shuswap Junior Secondary School, and a Principal at North Shuswap Elementary School. Margot was well loved, respected, and appreciated because of her intelligence, her vision, and her absolute commitment to quality public education for young people.
Margot was an accomplished musician. She found great joy in choral singing and generously shared her extensive knowledge of and passion for sacred music.
Margot moved to Sorrento in 1989. Her family has deep roots in the area and she loved her Shuswap home. She was an influential community leader and helped shape a vision for the future of the South Shuswap as the founder of the South Shuswap Property Owners Association and as a long time member of many CSRD committees. Her love of the Shuswap meant more than simply enjoying its beauty, it meant working steadfastly to protect its ecological integrity.
Margot happiest times were spent on her sheep farm, a dream that she and Melany made real. She had a tremendous compassion for animals and was known for adopting older dogs from the SPCA. The cats, dogs, sheep, donkeys, and horses at Old Orchard Farm are among the most loved of animals anywhere.
Margot’s home was always alive with the warmth of friendship, as she loved to have friends and family around her.
Special thanks to Celia, Eldene, Jan, Irma, and Richard for such deep love and support especially during the last week of Margot’s life. Thanks also to the very generous support of Margot’s family, her colleagues, and friends. Particular thanks to Dr. E. Hardy, Dr. K. Gelmon, and Dr. C. Malinowski.
Margot lived a full and passionate life. We are less without her and yet so much more because of her.
A service will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Sorrento on Saturday, February 7 at 10:00 am with a reception to follow at the Sorrento Centre. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margot’s honour to the Old Orchard Farm Endowment Fund with the Shuswap Community Foundation at Box 624, Salmon Arm, BC, V1E 4N7, or at www.shuswapfoundation.ca.
Condolences may be sent to
sympathy@bowersfuneralservice.com
Arrangements are in the care of Bowers Funeral Home, Salmon Arm.