Margaret Mary Strathy

August 16, 1942 - December 26, 2019

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STRATHY-Margaret Strathy passed peacefully, with her loving family by her side at Rockwood Terrace, Durham, on December 26, 2019, at age 77. Predeceased by her loving husband of 41 years, Douglas Edwin Strathy. She is survived by her sons James (Elaine) of Chesley, Andrew (Vicky) of Holland Centre, and Edgar (Annette) of Williamsford. Loving grandma to Joe (Aliyah), Maggie (Rob), Amy (Scott), Beth (Josh), Kylie (Alex), Ashley, Lucas, Ryley and Jason. Proud great-grandma to DJ, William, Nichole, Hailey, Mason, Allie, Scarlet, and one on the way. Also survived by in-laws Katherine McBeth, Isabelle Simpson, Bill (Edie), James, Donna, Ronald (Barb), and Murray (Betty) Wright , Norman Reid, and Jackie Brown. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Bill and Mary Dean (nee Cullen), and in-laws Gordon Strathy (Doris), Patricia Reid, Al McBeth, and Linda Carlton. 

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​Margaret was born in Owen Sound, attended West Hill Public School, and was the only child of Bill and Mary Dean. She always had an interest in helping others, and this would lead to her forty year career in nursing. She began as a nursing assistant at the age of 17, at what was then known as the Owen Sound General & Marine Hospital. She attended Georgian College and received her nursing diploma. While in residence there, she met Douglas, the love of her life, and they married in 1961 at just 18 years of age.  They first settled in an apartment in Markdale, where Doug worked at the footwear factory. Further moves would see them living in Holland Centre, Woodford, and Owen Sound, before finally settling in Chatsworth for over twenty years. They welcomed three boys into their lives: James, Andrew and Ed, all while Margaret continued to work and improve her education to obtain her RN degree. She specialized in psychiatric and palliative care at hospitals in Markdale, Meaford and Owen Sound. The boys remember her as a strict and disciplined parent, and as a devoted wife to Doug, who supported her in every way. Life always presented its challenges though, and Margaret would survive a brain aneurysm, a heart attack, a battle with bladder cancer, followed by lung cancer. While not without worry, those struggles did not break her tenacity and dedication to her patients and family. While at nursing school, her mom, “Nan”, came to live with them and helped to raise the boys and grandchildren. Family was most important to her; the cookie jar would always be stuffed, the backyard pool would welcome the grandkids all summer, and birthdays and holidays were always an excuse to decorate and celebrate. She loved to knit sweaters, toques and mitts, to put under the Christmas tree with the “millions” of other gifts. In their later years, Margaret and Doug enjoyed travelling. Special memories included going to Las Vegas and driving the grandchildren to BC. Margaret also enjoyed the local casinos and horse racing tracks. During quieter times, she tended to the violets, lilies, and roses in her garden, the pets that were always present including her favourite Wheaton terrier, Darby and pussy cat, Tash.  She was an avid reader of Danielle Steele crime stories and always had the Toronto Star on hand.  On TV, she enjoyed British comedies and Coronation Street while the radio was usually tuned to the news station or Vinyl Cafe. There was a special place in her heart for Rod Stewart songs, as the Wright side of the family always called her “Maggie”. She will lovingly  be remembered as a caring nurse, and a much cherished wife, mom and grandma.

Visitation will be held at the GARAFRAXA HILL FUNERAL HOME, Chatsworth, on Monday December 30, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.  The funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday December 31, at 11:00 am. Pastor Michael Henkel officiating. If desired, donations to Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.garafraxahillfuneral.com