MARGARET NORQUAY

It is with profound sorrow that we share the passing of Margaret Norquay, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend, on Saturday, June 6, 2026. Margaret was predeceased by her son John and daughter Alexandra, as well as her sisters Thelma and Elizabeth “Billie,” brother-in-law Ralph, mother Alexandra, father Gavin, sister-in-law Carol, and brother-in-law Jarvis.

Left to celebrate her remarkable life is her husband of 69 years, Ian Norquay, along with her children, Susan, Lawrence (Tammy), Valerie (Marc), Heather (Tom), and son-in-law Greg (Anne). She also leaves her much adored grandchildren, Melissa Jane, Olivia, Gavin (Rhiannon), Gillian, Mae, Kaleigh (Joel), Marah (Chris), Isaac, Oskar (Megan), and Henry, as well as great grandchildren, Janek, Violet, and Evan. Her nieces and nephews, Leslie (Russell), Bruce, Doug (Terri), Matt (Suzanne), and Julie (John), held a special place in her heart. Childhood friends, Rosemary Goodwin and Sheila Black, who have spent nearly a lifetime with Margaret, share in our tears and gratitude. Margaret was the glue that kept us together through the happy and the sad; she was the centre of it all.

Born in Winnipeg, Margaret Urquhart spent her childhood and adolescence in East Kildonan, where she met her lifelong friends, Rosemary and Sheila. Her fate was then sealed when, as a young teenager, she met her future husband, Ian Norquay. When her family relocated to California, Margaret showed her determination at age 19, by boarding a bus and travelling solo back to Winnipeg to begin her nurse’s training with Rosemary and Sheila. As student nurses they had many misadventures and proudly graduated together from St. Boniface Hospital as registered nurses in 1955.

On February 2, 1957 (Ground Hog Day), Margaret and Ian got married and a new set of adventures commenced. They spent their early marriage in British Columbia and Alberta and with each move, came another baby. In 1974, they traded their urban life in Calgary for a farm in Cloverdale, near Selkirk and a new chapter began.

Having these two as parents meant a noisy, busy life filled with road trips in a converted school bus, skiing, poodles, guinea pigs, horses, camping trips, mountains, a pig barn, tractor rides, and always, the unexpected.

In their retirement, Margaret and Ian spent their summers at the cottage at Sugar Point near Lundar, while in the winter they made their home at the old Hotel Belmar in Mazatlan, Mexico.

When it was time to leave the farm, they moved to their cozy little home in North Kildonan. Margaret loved this place and spent many a quiet and happy hour with her beloved dog Jenny in her little garden with the great big tree.

We would like to thank everyone who supported us during the last few months. We would also like to acknowledge the compassionate staff at Tuxedo Villa Personal Care Home. Although Margaret was there but for a brief time, their gentle kindness was such a comfort.

It was a glorious life, 

well lived and we are 

so lucky we had her.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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