Obituary of Margaret Elna Anderson

Margaret passed away peacefully after a sudden illness, Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at St. Paul’s Hospital.

Margaret was born in Sault Ste. Marie, the first child to Alvin and Orell Virene.  Marg attended school in the Soo and completed her education at Alma College. She worked as a secretary in Toronto and then returned to the Soo, where her relationship with Stewart Anderson flourished.

After Marg and Stew married in June 1952, they moved to Saskatchewan and Marg fell in love with the big wide prairies. Despite many opportunities to return to the east, she chose to stay in her beloved prairies.

She dedicated her years to supporting Stewart’s work in the church, first in Macklin and then in Saskatoon. After Stewart’s sudden illness she returned to work at the University of Saskatchewan until she retired in 1986. The United Church and her faith were a huge part of her life. Marg was a founding member of McClure United Church.

She filled her retirement years with many trips around the world with special friends, summers and Christmas in her trailer at “The River” (the Kalancha family cabin), and trips to Penticton. She never missed an opportunity to swim, whether it was in Lake Superior, Lake Okanagan, the river, or any other body of water, right up until this past summer.

Margaret was a compassionate, giving and gracious friend.  She was fiercely independent and fondly called the energizer bunny by her family. She will be remembered for her smile, perseverance and sense of style. A life well lived, right to the end, she was snowmobiling three weeks ago!

She is survived by her daughter Peggy (Don) Kalancha and son David Anderson, grandchildren Jared, Shauna (James), Kayley and Cara Kalancha, sister-in-law Eila Virene and many loved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Alvin and Orell Virene, husband Stewart Anderson and brother Thornley Virene.

There will be a Celebration of Life service Saturday, January 26, 2018 at 1:30 pm conducted by Rev. Debra Berg at McClure United Church. Don’t wear black, Margaret would not like it.

In lieu of flowers donations to McClure United Church or the United Church Mission and Service Fund would be welcome.