Tribute

On Saturday, November 25, 2017, Mrs. Margaret Dolores Sparrow of Oliver passed away peacefully at Sunnybank Centre at the age of 92 years.

Margaret was born Marjorie Deloris Leidal on September 15, 1925, the sixth of eight children, in Hilda, Alberta. After graduating from High School, Marge, as she was known then, attended Henderson Secretarial College and worked at Beny Motors in Medicine Hat after completing a secretarial certificate. She married Jack Sparrow in 1948 and they moved to Calgary where Jack was a locomotive fireman with the Canadian Pacific Railway. It was during this time that her legal name was changed to Margaret Dolores Sparrow, due to a mix-up in paperwork when the marriage was registered.

Margaret and Jack’s only child, Maureen, was born in 1953 when Margaret began her career as a mother and home maker. She kept herself busy cooking, baking, knitting and playing bridge. In 1974 Margaret and Jack moved to Montreal where Jack had been promoted to the management team at CP Rail. Margaret continued to cook, bake and play bridge until Jack retired in 1986 and they moved to Westbank, BC, where she took up golf and continued to indulge her love for the game of bridge. Jack Sparrow passed away in 2015 in Penticton. Margaret had suffered a small stroke in 2012 and had two major strokes while she was at Sunnybank Centre in Oliver, where she passed away peacefully with her daughter Maureen by her side.

Margaret is survived by one sister, Doreen Butgereit in Medicine Hat, Alberta, one daughter, Maureen Sparrow of Oliver, BC, 3 grandchildren, Erika Janz of Darwell, Alberta, F. Kevin Janz of Consecon, Ontario, and Alexis Erickson of Calgary, Alberta. She is also survived by 3 great granddaughters, Molly Janz, Georgia Janz, and Bonnie-Rose Janz, as well as many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Thanks to Dr. De Vries and the staff at Sunnybank Centre for their tender and thoughtful care and attention during Margaret’s passing.

Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
Arrangements entrusted to Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium, Oliver & Osoyoos.