February 12, 1933 – July 8, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Margaret Anne Carlson (nee Roy). Mom died peacefully on Thursday, July 8 at Kemptville District Hospital. She was predeceased by her husband John Macdonald Carlson. She is survived by her loving daughter Mary, sons Peter (Johanne Aubin) and Jamie (Terri Truscello) and grandchildren Bailey and Acadia Carlson.
Margaret was born in Montreal. Her high school and early adult years were spent in Val d’Or where she made many of her life-long friends. It was there too that she caught the eye of John Carlson. With a little help from some match making friends, a romance blossomed and they married in 1959. Over the next four years, they started a family and began the adventure of life on the farm in Oxford Mills. Margaret’s heels and pearls were replaced with more practical attire as she developed her skills at wrangling sheep and raising three young children. She also learned how to card, spin, dye and knit wool gathered from the flock; none of us was ever short of colourful sweaters, wool toques or warm socks.
In addition to those talents, she also worked in the community in a variety of roles that led to her becoming the Clerk/Treasurer of the former Oxford on Rideau Township, then the same role in the village of Iroquois until she took an early retirement in 1981. With the nest empty, she was free to expand on her creative talents as she learned machine knitting, rug hooking and quilting, making new friendships with fellow artisans.
Eventually farm life drew to a close, bringing more frequent opportunities to travel both near and far; the time spent in the south of France remained her favourite. A move to Kemptville provided a blank canvas backyard that she, John and Mary turned into a beautiful, waterfront garden.
Margaret also had a great love of music kindled by her experience working weekends at CKVD in Val d’Or as a teenager. Although not a musician herself, she encouraged a love of music in her children as we were growing up. For her, Saturday afternoons meant listening to live broadcasts from the Met Opera, especially if Roberto Alagna was the tenor that day. Margaret also became an enthusiastic student of the game of bridge and enjoyed many afternoons spent with her bridge club, as well as the companionship of her monthly book club meetings. She remained a keen observer of current events and a devoted Blue Jays fan.
Margaret will be remembered for her lovely, cheerful presence. In spite of the many medical challenges she faced over the past year, she remained determined to persevere and looked forward to opportunities to reconnect in person with family and friends, all of whom she loved dearly.
At Margaret’s request, there will be no funeral. A Celebration of her life complete with family, friends and music will be held later this year. If desired, donations can be made to the University of Ottawa, Seniors’ Community Services (Kemptville) or a local charity of your choice .
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Anne Carlson Roy Thursday July 8th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Kemptville, Province: Ontario