Margaret is a 40 year Soroptimist member joining SI of Courtenay in November 1985. She was club president in 1989-1990 and a Director / Secretary of the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada 2003-2007.
Margaret was born in Vancouver. She is a graduate of the UBC School of Nursing class of ’67. Her career was in Public Health Nursing. She worked in Rutland (Kelowna), Kamloops, Salmon Arm, and Vernon before attending the International School of Public Health in Hawaii 1975-1976 for her Masters in Public Health and then was posted to Courtenay. She took early retirement in 2000 after 23 years in management in Courtenay. Margaret has lived in Comox on Vancouver Island since 1977.
Margaret particularly enjoys the international aspect of SI. She has enjoyed many wonderful events with Soroptimists, including attendance at six SI Quadrennial Conventions (1991-2011), four post-convention tours and memorable Soroptimist Friendship Weeks in the Netherlands, Isle of Mann and Turkey as well as visits to long-time Friendship Link clubs in England and Wales. She has been hosted by and hosted members from several countries and treasures continued friendships around the world.
Soon after retiring Margaret launched into new hobbies that remain of keen interest – family history research and learning to play harp, a childhood dream. For over 15 years she played as a volunteer harpist at a local seniors’ care residence, some years focused in the dementia unit.
Margaret really appreciates being a member of SI Canada West Online club now and continuing to connect with Soroptimists across Canada, internationally and with SFC and to follow SI involvement with the United Nations. Margaret has been a member of the Soroptimist Chatline since September 2000. She believes in being a Life Long Learner and enjoys many local Elder College courses, particularly now virtual ones.