Margaret Mert Jean Barker Martin-Joseph

Margaret Jean Martin-Joseph was known as many things to many people. She was a loved one, a friend, and someone special. To family and friends who knew her best, Margaret will be remembered as a very exceptional person.

       She was the daughter of Agnes Ford and Robert Lorenzo Barker. Margaret grew up in Thamesville, Ontario.

      As a young girl, Margaret had a number of interests. Like most children, she enjoyed playing and making up games. She was curious about the world around her and was often eager to explore it. In her spare time she liked to play the piano and go to her Aunt Belle's, to play with her cousins, Norm and Doug. However, to Margaret, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with all of her friends.

      On July 12, 1947 Margaret exchanged wedding vows with John Stanley Campbell in her parents back yard of Thamesville, Ontario. They spent the first 9 years of married life in Ridgetown, Ontario and eventually moved to Ingersoll, Ontario to establish a family business there also.

      Margaret worked hard to be a good mother to her children and she did her best to fulfill their needs. Margaret was blessed with one daughter Margaret Dale and one adopted son, John Scott. She was thrilled when she became the Grandmother of Mark, Christopher and Sarah and enjoyed them more than words can express. Another blessing for Margaret was the gift of 5 Great Grandchildren, Marks children Erin, Victoria, Robyn, and Christopher's two chlldren ,Will and just recently born baby June, who was born 1 month 3 days after Margaret's passing. Margaret's disease, at the end, had robbed her of her knowledge of Will and June being added to the family, but we know she would have loved them just as much as she did the other 3 girls.

      Margaret enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were playing piano, painting, singing, reading,golf, Nintendo games,and always cards with Murray. She was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

     Margaret’s faith was important to her. She was a member of Jehovah's Witnesses Congregation in Blenheim, Ontario and eventually also in Ingersoll, Ontario, when they moved to that town.

      Margaret enjoyed traveling and time away on vacations. It was a chance for her to renew and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Favorite vacations included numerous family trips to Florida and a Cruise to Nassau with Dale.

      Margaret was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. All her pets were favorite. She loved them all. Patrick, Chang, Mr. Foo, Willey, Smokey, Angus...too many to list. She always felt her pets were one of the family and treated them as such.

       In retirement, she found new pleasure in re-learning golf at a slower pace, plus going back again to her painting and charcoal arts, playing and singing while at her piano and also visiting her friends and family. Even in retirement, Margaret continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. Margaret was active in her new community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

      Margaret passed away on February 7, 2015 at Marion Villa Long Term Care, London. Margaret fought a long battle with Alzheimers Disease plus other health problems which she managed very well. She peacefully passed away with her daughter, Dale, by her side. She was in Marion Villa for 7 years, 4 of them struggling to maintain her memories and all that she held dear in her life. She is survived by Her Daughter Dale; Grandchildren Mark, Christopher and Sarah; Great-Grandchildren Erin, Victoria, Robyn, Will and I will come back and edit as another one will be born this week. Visitation was held at Needham Funeral Home, London on February 11, 2015, with a gathering of friends and family remembering all of the good times they shared with Margaret. Margaret was laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Ridgetown, Ontario on May 15, 2015 next to her husband John Stanley Campbell.

      Simply stated, Margaret was a good and kind person, an individual who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being a caring and giving person, someone who was a vital part of their lives. Margaret leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and many cherished memories. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Margaret Jean (Barker) Campbell Martin-Joseph.

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MARTIN-JOSEPH, Margaret Jean ( Barker)- Passed away peacefully at Marian Villa on Saturday, February 7, 2015 with her daughter by her side at the age of 91. Lovingly remembered by her children; Dale Campbell-Morrish and John Scott Campbell. Grandma-Martin to; Mark Philip Morrish (Megan), Christopher Jason Morrish (Beth), and Sarah Jillian Morrish. Great-grandmother to; Erin, Victoria, Robyn, Will and one more on the way. Margaret, a great lover of music and the arts will be forever cherished by all of those lives she has touched. Private funeral arrangements have been entrusted to NEEDHAM FUNERAL SERVICE. Burial services shall take place at Greenwood Cemetary in Ridgetown on May 15, 2015. Donations to the Alzheimer Society of Canada would be appreciated by the family. Friends and relatives are invited to sign Margaret's online book of condolences at: www.needhamfuneralhome.com