Margaret (Margy) died peacefully on January 8th, 2022 at the age of 94. She lived an interesting life in an ordinary way. Born in Rangoon, Burma she spent her formative years in England and Canada. In 1940, at age 12, Margaret was sent to Canada (Ottawa) to escape the bombing of Britain. She lived for several years in Ottawa with the wonderful Cochrane family, who treated her like a daughter, and who remained life-long friends/family. Despite the disruption and loss that Margaret experienced in her early life, she had an enduring sense of optimism and adopted a “take each day at a time/tomorrow’s another day” philosophy.

After the war, Margaret joined the British Foreign Service, which she quickly learned was actually MI6. She was stationed for 2 years in Bagdad and then transferred to Kuala Lumpar, where she met her future husband (Jack), who was also working for MI6 at the time. Margaret and Jack lived in Hong Kong for many years before emigrating to Canada in 1964, after Jack accepted a job at the University of Toronto.

Margaret had a keen sense of what mattered most in the world—family, friends, and, later in life, the environment. She was an extremely caring, generous, fun-loving and engaged mother and grandmother. She loved to spend time with her children and grandchildren, and is well-known for her thoughtfulness, her collection of puddings (desserts) and for sharing her curiosity about the world and her love of nature through the many outings, adventures and summer holidays she took us all on.

Despite Margaret’s calm, kind, gentle and modest ways, she had the tenacity and perseverance to make things happen. This was most evident when advocating on behalf of family members and in her volunteer work. Through her husband Jack, Margaret developed a keen interest in the environment and became an active member and volunteer with several local environmental groups. She was a member of the Toronto Field Naturalists, South Peel Field Naturalists, Board member for CONE (Coalition on the Niagara Escarpment), and served as a Commissioner on the Niagara Escarpment Commission. She also volunteered with STORM (Save the Oak Ridges Moraine) and was a general editor and contributor to a book on the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Margaret lived a long and happy life. She loved deeply and was deeply loved. We are so grateful for her enduring care, generosity and warmth, and for the many life lesson she has taught us.

Many thanks to the staff at Bough Beeches Retirement Residence for their care and support of Margaret over the last 5 years. We are so appreciative of the ongoing, and often difficult, care work that you do.

Margaret is predeceased by husband Jack and brothers John Hardy and Lieutenant Bryan Hardy. She is the beloved sister of James Hardy and wife Anne, mother of Alison Lam and her husband Howard, Colin and wife Lisa, and Sheila and partner Mark. Proud grandmother of Leslea Verver (Richard), Mary, John, Sarah, Peter, Alexandra and Jack, great grandmother of Archie, Azèlie and Saoirse, and aunt of Susannah Worby (Ross) and great aunt to Katherine & Charlotte.

A small family service was held on January 14th. Donations, in lieu of flowers can be made to: Ontario Nature or The Nature Conservancy of Canada.