Ms. Margaret Jean Saunders

May 2, 1919 – November 21, 2010

Margaret Jean Saunders, teacher and administrator in Alberta schools for 40 years, including 17 years as the popular principal of Keeler Elementary School in Calgary, passed away on Sunday November 21 at the age of 91. Margaret was raised in Olds and attended the Calgary Normal School from 1938-39. She received her B.Ed from the University of Alberta in 1953. Margaret’s first teaching position was near Sundre as the only teacher in a small log school house with bare wood floors, a wood burning stove, and a tar paper blackboard. She subsequently taught in Betchton and Cochrane before coming to Calgary and teaching at the Stanley Jones, Ramsey, Queen’s Park, Bridgeland, Balmoral and, finally, Keeler, schools. Margaret was instrumental in planning the creative playground shared by Keeler Elementary, the neighbouring Holy Redeemer School and the Forest Heights community. This playground is a testament to her beliefs in cooperation and the importance of children. Margaret was an active member of the Alberta Teachers’ Association and Delta Kappa Gamma, and an elder in Rosedale (now Wild Rose) United Church. Margaret was a fair and committed educator who achieved her goal of “opening the doors of learning for children.” She received the A.T.A. Distinguished Service Award in 1979 and retired the same year. In 1983 she received an honorary lifetime membership in recognition of her contribution to the Forest Heights-Hubalta Community. Margaret is survived by a large circle of close friends, her faith community at Wild Rose, extended family, colleagues and thousands of former students – including many who have kept in touch with her for decades. A Memorial Service was held at Wild Rose United Church, 1317 - 1 Street N.W. Calgary on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 at 2:00p.m. In lieu of flowers, at Margaret’s request, donations may be made to the Bethany Care Society http://www.bethanycare.com/donate or the alternative, to the Dr. Jennie Gillespie Drennan Medical Scholarship Fund, Queen’s University, Office of Advancement, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 http://www.queensu.ca/giving/ways/commemorative.html. This scholarship was created by Margaret in honour of her mother’s sister, who graduated from Queen’s Medical School in 1895 and was the attending doctor at Margaret’s birth. The scholarship is awarded to one or more women based on academic standing in their 4th year of medical school. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to www.fostersgardenchapel.ca.

FOSTER'S GARDEN CHAPEL

FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM

Telephone: 403-297-0888

Honoured Provider of Dignity Memorial