Peacefully slipped away into the next room on Friday October 14, 2022 at 9:30 p.m. while her family sat chatting around her. This is the way she would have wanted it. Calling Guelph home for 92 years, Marg grew up the second oldest of Ed and Stella Clarke’s children: Bill, Ted, Bob, Jack, and June. She shared a lifetime closeness with all five that spilled over to the next generation of Clarke’s.
Marg met her husband Harold Mitchell walking home from her job at Tolton’s Manufacturing. Harold beat his friend to the punch of asking Margaret out on a date by literally punching him. They married in 1950 and had three daughters Diane (Wayne Morrison); Jan (late Mike Chamberlain); and Debbie (Kerry Hillis).
Moving from Chester Street to Bedford Road, Marg supported Harold while he established M & C Motors. She was beyond an ordinary homemaker, mastering gardening, cooking, knitting, and all household work all while looking after three daughters and her widowed mother-in-law and father.
Harold passed away in 2000 and she surprised everyone by demonstrating her resourcefulness and willingness to learn to adapt and carry on. Margaret’s open door and open arms belief meant that everyone of her visitors felt welcomed, important and loved, especially her five grand children: Michael and Carolyn Morrison, Kinsey, Riley and Brooklynn (Rob Mould) Hillis. It also meant that they never left her home without homemade cookies, squares, Cornish pastry and other “Nana” things. In Marg’s golden years she found companionship and a “Second Spring” with Chris Holtzhauer. They went for walks, he was teaching her to play piano, swim, and she took up reading. She also extended her family adding Ron, Wendy, Lauren and Matt to the Mitchell gang.
Margaret faced severe heart issues in her last few years, but surprised us all by living a full and active life, especially enjoying the wonder and energy of her great-grandchildren Sloane and Perrin. In her final months, Marg received the help and support from many people, allowing her to live her final days at home, including PSW’s, doctors, and nurses, Paramed, good neighbours and her devoted family. No matter how you called her: Margaret, Marg, Peggy, pretty lady, Aunt Marg, friend, neighbor and sister, we hope you will help us send her on her way home.
Funeral service will be held at GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph on Tuesday October 18th at 11:30 a.m. If desired, memorial contributions made to Hospice Wellington would be appreciated.
We invite you to leave your memories and donations online at: www.gilchristchapel.com and they will be forwarded to the family.