Once upon a time (on May 19, 1950), in the small town of St. Andrew’s West, Ontario, a little girl was born to proud parents John Garrett and Alice Wheeler (nee McAvoy). They named their little bundle Margaret Mary and she was the apple of their eye. In rapid succession, she was soon followed by a gaggle of little Wheelers: Hilda (Neil), Joe (Janie), Mark (Jean), Katherine (Victor), Carol (Wilfred), Sean (Sandra), Paul (Debbie), Marian (Scott), & Michael (Janet) and this crew could be found running amok through the hayfields and the barn and enjoying all the magical moments that growing up on a farm provides. At the age of 16, Margaret was gifted a shiny Monarch, not for joyriding but for driving her pack of siblings to every appointment and lesson that the 10 children of two busy farmers could possibly imagine. When not helping around the farm or taking care of her siblings, Margaret could be found volunteering at the hospital in town and from early on, it was evident that Margaret was born to be a nurse. In her late teens, she fell for a dreamy James Dean look alike, named Keith and they were married on a blustery winter day in December. Margaret and Keith soon welcomed their own bundle of joy, Lorrie, with little Blaine following not too far behind! Margaret and Keith raised their family in the small hamlet of Apple Hill, complete with white picket fence, and while Margaret continued touching lives and hearts as a nurse at the Hotel Dieu in Cornwall, Lorrie and Blaine expanded the Darling family through marriage (Brian and Regina) and the gifts of grandchildren (Kyra, Julia, William, & Finley). These little ones became the Sun and the Moon and the Stars in her sky. “Nan down the road” enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her granddaughters in Ingleside baking, painting, and taking them to their activities and “Nan from Can” lived her California dreams in Oceanside, where she spent many hours watching soccer and making memories in the California sun…always, with a big giant straw hat! Although her more recent years were not what she planned for, she fought her battle with cancer like a warrior; her radiant smile and cheerful determination never wavered. She will be remembered for her countless acts of kindness, her gentle spirit, and her open and loving heart. Margaret “Maggie” loved FIERCELY, forgave GRACIOUSLY, and lived every minute with JOY and GRATITUDE. She will be missed beyond measure here on Earth, but has surely been welcomed into Heaven with open arms by all of the precious family and friends who have gone before her.
At this time her family would like to send their deepest thanks to: Drs. McCurdy and Yuan-Innes and Margaret’s entire medical team; to all of her extensive nursing family, with special thanks to her best friend Deb who coordinated her devoted network of nursing spies; her amazing family members that have been with her at every step of her journey, providing comfort, care, love and support; and her Riverdale friends and caregivers, who provided a loving and safe home these last years. If Margaret was the warrior, you were her army.
Attendance controlled visitation will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home, 822 Pitt Street, Cornwall, on Monday August 17, 2020 from 2-4 pm & 7-9 pm. Visitors and family members entering the funeral home will be required to wear a face mask. A Private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with family only in St. Andrew’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Andrews, on Tuesday August 18, 2020 at 11 am. For those who wish to watch the Funeral Service live may do so at the following link youtu.be/lBDkhkfBwuc starting at 11 am on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. The link may also be found in the online obituary at www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca. Interment to follow in the St. Andrews Parish Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy Memorial Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be made online at www.wilsonfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Darling Wheeler Tuesday August 11th 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Cornwall, Province: Ontario