BLAIR, Margaret
1933 – 2021
Mrs. Margaret Ann Blair (nee Cumberland), passed away peacefully, with her husband and her loved ones by her side, on Wednesday October 13, 2021 at the age of 88 years. Our sadness at the loss of our mother is tempered by the joy of knowing that she is now at peace, in the arms of Jesus. Margaret was born on January 3, 1933 in Trochu, Alberta. She was named after her mother, Anne Cumberland (nee Halbert) and her aunt, Margaret Peters, a nurse, who delivered her. Margaret grew up in the Alberta foothills, moving often, due to her father’s work. John ‘Jack’ Cumberland was a master carpenter who built wooden derricks for the oil industry and shoring for the mining industry. Margaret met the love of her life, Percy Lawrence Blair, at a dance in central Alberta. They were married shortly after on April 6, 1953. During their incredible sixty-eight years of marriage, they were blessed with eight children and sixteen grandchildren. The most important thing in her life was the love of her family. While raising her family, Margaret pursued a career in direct sales with various companies, including Stanley Home Products (home cleaning products), Fifth Avenue Jewelry, Mannatech (a supplement company), and, for a time, selling real estate. This career path afforded her and Percy the ability to travel, taking several trips with friends and family. Margaret was an avid reader, enjoyed berry picking, harvesting their apples, making applesauce, and dancing. With a deep desire to follow the Lord, she served on Parish councils and worked at many Live-Ins. She was a great prayer warrior, having spent many hours praying and fasting and leading others to a relationship with Jesus by her witness. Margaret welcomed everyone with open arms, literally, often saying “I don’t do handshakes, only hugs”. It was truly a blessing to receive one of her amazing hugs. She opened her home to anyone who did not have a place to go, especially during the holidays, making many relationships through her service to others. She was easy going, determined, and stood by her convictions. With her great strength and perseverance, she was able to survive a stroke in 2012 and endured the pain of cancer which was diagnosed only six days before her passing. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband and family, along with many relatives and friends. Margaret will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Percy; her children, Marilyn (Dale) Arnold and their children, Erin Gillies (Ryan), Michael (Tiffany), Amy Engh (Trevor) and Kelly Caron (André); Heather (Robert) Armitage; Raymond (Sandra) Blair and their children, Maverick (Dana) and Mariah; Lorraine Docherty and her children, Sheena, Carson, Scott and Julia; Linda (David) Duinker and their children, Melissa Buhler (Brock), Jaelle Buhler (Brett), Tymon (Kendall) and Zackery; and Judy (John) MacDonald and their children, Blair and Ray; her twenty-one great grandchildren and her brother, David Cumberland. Margaret was predeceased by her two sons, Phillip Blair on November 8, 1960 and Gordon Blair on November 4, 1958, her parents, Anne and John Cumberland, a brother, William Cumberland and her two sisters, Winnie Wilson and Rosemary Rodtka. A Prayer Service and Visitation at Parkland Funeral Home will be announced in November 2021. A Private Family Funeral Mass will be celebrated at a later date. If desired, Memorial Donations in Margaret’s honor may be made directly to a Charity of the Donor’s choice. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com. Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Ann Blair Cumberland Wednesday October 13th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Red-Deer, Province: Alberta