Margaret Isabella Hays

Margaret was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who passed away December 16th after a short illness, and left her extended family and friends wishing for more time with her. She was happy and still loving to have visitors at the age of 91. She had been married to Albert, known far and wide as Bert, for 66 years and missed him dearly since his passing in February 2017.

Margaret is survived by 4 of her 5 children; son Allan (Janet) Hays, and daughters Bonnie (John) O’Neal, Leona (John) Carter, and Gail (Ken) Younghusband. Her 2nd daughter Colleen passed in 1971.

Margaret thoroughly enjoyed all visits from her extended family of 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. She will be missed dearly by all the family.

Margaret was born to David and Margaret King (nee Philip) on August 1st, 1930 in Kamloops, B.C. as the middle child between big brother Bill who passed in 2009 and sister Nina who lives in Kamloops.

Margaret lived her early life in Kamloops and met Bert at a roadside dance where Bert happened to stop by and he became enamored with the lovely red haired Margaret. They were married in 1951, first living in a railroad boxcar while Bert worked at bulldozing for the CN Railroad. The next home was a log cabin in Lone Butte where Bert worked his own logging claim, and then lived with Bert’s parents while they built their home in Aldergrove in 1957. Here, they raised the children and Margaret was the homemaker who made everyone’s lives as special as she could. Her excellent cooking and baking was enjoyed by all who visited.

In 1990, when Bert retired, they moved to a hobby farm property in Garnet Valley, Summerland, BC. It was here that many happy family celebrations took place, often under the large willow tree with the creek running nearby. When the work on the farm became too much for Bert and Margaret in 2012, they sold out and moved to the Trout Creek area of Summerland. In July, 2020 Margaret moved into Dr. Andrew Pavillion assisted living facility in Summerland and their helpful staff ensured she was well taken care of.

Some of the fondest family memories are of campfire hot dogs and hot chocolate when snowmobiling, her baking of cinnamon buns, ginger cookies, and spice cake. She dabbled in oil painting and loved to garden, loved a cup of tea and conversation, enjoyed several cruise ship vacations, snacked on Cracker Jack, always had a hug when you needed it and a smile you can never forget.  When something was missing and the hunt was on, she would always say “It is always in the last place you look !” She had a quick wit and great sense of humor, enjoying very much the laughter with others.

Margaret was a truly wonderful person and always put the needs of others ahead of her own. Her hospitality and enjoyment of family and friends was of prime importance to her and it cannot be truly expressed how great the loss will be felt by all who knew and loved her.

A graveside service will be held at noon on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Canyon View Cemetery in Summerland.