Margaret Catherine (Dickson) Caldwell

Margaret Catherine Caldwell (Dickson) W306038

On a beautiful spring day, late in the afternoon, with the apple blossoms just beginning to bloom, our mother reached out and the angels took her in their arms to be with “those who have gone before me.” Mom's life came full circle from her beginnings in Summerland, BC on June 29, 1923, coming to rest on May 2, 2019.

Mom enlisted in the RCAF Women's Division where she would be posted from coast to coast during the war years. Returning to Summerland in 1946, she married Sandy Caldwell in 1947, and began raising their family on the Front Bench orchard property. Hard times found her returning to work, and in 1956 she began working at Summerland High School. She loved the connections she made with the students and the Class of 1969 dedicated their school annual to her.

Becoming a young widow in 1970, life changed. She set out on new adventures, and a few years later set out to William's Lake with her partner, Archie Bickner, where she worked at the Indian Friendship Centre on the drug and alcohol program with the Alkali and Canim Lake communities. During this time Alkali achieved almost 100% sobriety.

Returning to Penticton she became very involved with the Okanagan Civil Liberties group and worked as an outreach worker, standing up for the less fortunate. Finishing her working years, she and Archie returned to Crescent Beach, having built a house where the cottage once stood. She remained active with the Civil Liberties and the Alcohol and Drug Board. She was also part of a small group that formed the Lakeside Presbyterian Congregation, serving as Clerk of Session. In 2005 she was granted the Citizen of the Year award in Summerland for all she'd done.

In 2000 Mom and Archie returned to Upper Summerland, leaving the beach behind. She remained very active in the Summerland Art Club, her love of art stemming from her grandmother who took her to see big art galleries. Other Summerland involvements included the early beginnings of the Summerland Food Bank, the original building committee on Dickson Avenue for the Legion as well as Executive, Civil Liberties, and much more. Her ongoing support in many charities showed her deep caring for others. There were many trips with her daughters to the east coast of Canada, Hawaii, and the States, taking each of her grandchildren to Hawaii when they were ten.

After Archie's passing in 2011 she moved to the Summerland Seniors Village where she would live out her days. A social person, she was often found downstairs with her friends, wearing her hat and a smile.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband, Alexander 'Sandy' Caldwell and her partner, Archie Bickner. She is survived by her brother Harry Dickson; daughters Aretia Morgan, Cathy (Don) Grewcutt, and Jan Carver; grandchildren Jessica Strohmann, Alex (Karmen) Morgan, James (Caroline) Grewcutt, Jenelle Grewcutt, Sandra (Josh) Isted, Glenn Carver, and Kirby (Stephanie) Carver; great-grandchildren Sarah Morgan, Morgan and Kyle Strohmann, Jack and Sandy Morgan, Cameron and Carys Grewcutt, Adelyn Grewcutt, Mikayla, Elias, Ashaya, and Ariella Isted, Nathan and Brooke Carver, and foster son Dick Armstrong.

Thank you to all the people who walked along Mom's pathway with her. We would like to leave you with some of her own words:

“A belief in God and His goodness in hard times, sometimes that belief is all that is left.”

“I have been much blessed in this life. It would be impossible to remember all those who have made the earthly journey so exciting. I leave looking forward to seeing those who have gone before me. In turn, I look forward to meeting again those I have left behind.”

Mom, your circle is complete.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 22 at 11:00 am at the Summerland United Church on 13204 Henry Road, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kelowna Gospel Mission, PO Box 22087, Kelowna, BC  V1Y 9N9.

Condolences may be directed to the family through providencefuneralhomes.com 250-494-7752