Margarida Soares

Cherished daughter of Maria Ledo Soares and of the late Manuel Soares. Loving sister of Antonio Soares (Lucie Miller-Soares) and Gloria Doré (Dave McLellan). Loving aunt of Anabelle, Mariève (Nicholas O’Brien) and Valérie Soares, Brittany (Kelsie Tremblay), Brandon (Jasmine Wilkinson-Turpin), Justin and Jacob Doré as well as her grand-niece, Salem Rose O’Brien. Margarida will be missed by aunts, uncles, cousins, and many other family members and friends.

Special thank you to all the staff on the second floor of the Beauclaire Residence, formerly Carlingview Manor, for their care, compassion and their friendship over the last year, and for their palliative care in the last month. Margarida was a great part of the Portuguese Catholic community in the Ottawa region (Paróquia Senhor Santo Cristo). Thank you to Caitlin Imrie as well as members of the Bayshore HealthCare staff for their loving support, care and kindness throughout a great part of her life.

A funeral visitation and service will be held for family and friends on Wednesday July 15, 2026. Visitation at 10 a.m. and the funeral service at 11 a.m.

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C’est avec grand regret que nous annonçons le décès de Margarida Soares. Elle nous a quitté paisiblement le 2 juillet 2026 à l’âge de 55 ans.

Elle était la fille adorée de Maria Ledo Soares et de feu Manuel Soares. Elle laisse dans le deuil son frère Antonio Soares (Lucie Miller-Soares), sa sœur Gloria Doré (Dave McLellan), ses neveux et nièces Anabelle, Mariève (Nicholas O’Brien), Valérie Soares, Britanny (Kelsie Tremblay), Brandon (Jasmine Wilkinson-Turpin), Justin et Jacob Doré ainsi que sa petite-nièce Salem Rose O’Brien. Margarida manquera à ses tantes, oncles, cousins, cousines, et à de nombreux autres membres de sa famille et amis.

La famille tient à remercier tout particulièrement l'ensemble du personnel du deuxième étage de la Résidence Beauclaire, anciennement Manoir Carlingview, pour les soins, la bienveillance et l'amitié dont ils ont fait preuve au cours de l'année écoulée, ainsi que pour les soins palliatifs prodigués au cours du dernier mois. Margarida occupait une place importante au sein de la communauté catholique portugaise de la région d'Ottawa (Paróquia Senhor Santo Cristo). Nous tenons à remercier Caitlin Imrie ainsi que les membres des Soins de santé Bayshore pour l’aide et le support envers Margarida pour une grande partie de sa vie.

Une visite et une cérémonie funéraire auront lieu pour la famille et les amis le mercredi 15 juillet 2026. La visite débutera à 10 h et la cérémonie funéraire à 11 h.

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Tribute to my dearest baby sister Margarida

Everyone in the world is born with gifts.

Margarida was born on July 6, 1970. The youngest of three siblings (Gloria and I), daughter of Maria Ledo Soares and late Manuel Soares.

When Margarida was a child, the family knew by her smile that she was a special and loved child. One of Margarida's gifts was that child-like wonder well into adulthood. That sparkle in her eye, that ability to live in the moment and not stress about the complexities of life.

Margarida was especially dear to our family, not only because she was the youngest, but also because she faced significant challenges from a very young age. Her journey was difficult, and it was especially hard on our parents, who navigated countless obstacles alongside her throughout her life. Despite the many challenges we faced as a family, we were still able to find the strength to overcome each one together as a family.

Although Margarida had physical and mobility limitations as a child, it never stopped her from pursuing her passions and interests. She was part of the group at the LOEB centre, where she made many friends, participated in multiple activities, work and most importantly many travels with them. She was a real social butterfly who got to see the world! To name a few places, Margarida travelled to Florida, Nashville, Las Vegas, Niagara Falls, and more! Lucky her!!

Margarida was a strong woman in all ways of the word. She was outspoken, expressive, and happy! She loved gatherings, celebrations and outings. When my wife Lucie, met my family for the first time in 1982, Margarida was only 12 years old. Excited to welcome Lucie in our family, she slapped her hard on the bum to say, "welcome to the family!" Other family members have also received the ecstatic slap of approval!

She loved to make sure everyone was doing well. Her favorite word was "happy!" Oftentimes said as a statement, and other times said as a question. It was her way of caring for us, making sure we were all doing well. Margarita loved to have cute conversations over the phone with her great-grand-niece Salem. This is where Salem got to learn the word "HAPPY."

Another one of her famous sayings was "NOT MEEE" whenever someone was in trouble. When the girls were young, they used to sneak up to Margarida's room with her during family celebrations. I would catch them watching The Simpsons, painting Margarida's nails or using her famous exercise bike! The first words that would come out of Margarida's mouth was "NOT MEEE!"

Margarida also loved to attend all the festivities, including parades, at the Par￳quia Senhor Santo Cristo. She loved Christmas get togethers, birthday celebrations, and especially Canada day! Her favorite outings were McDonalds, Claude Patate Fries, Tim Horton's (ice cappuccino and blueberry muffin). She loved going out to the movie theaters with her niece Anabelle, to enjoy a great laugh and she didn't hold back! She had so much love for all her nephews and nieces and everyone adored her.

The pandemic brought significant changes for everyone, and our family was no exception. 2020 was especially difficult as we navigated the loss of our father, uncertainty, and the growing challenges of caring for our mom and Margarida.

Throughout Margarida's life, we always made sure to help and support her in all ways possible. I would like to thank friends, family members and healthcare professionals who have cared and supported Margarida during the various seasons of her life. I am eternally grateful for your love, kindness and care.

Margarida would call us so many times every day. We already miss her calls. We always protected our little sister, but sadly her cancer was one thing we had no control of.

In the last 2 months of her life, family and friends had the chance to visit her at the Beauclaire Residence in Orleans. Special thank you to everyone who came to visit. We had the chance to hug her, say we love her very much and that dad would take care of her until we meet again. Thank you, my darling sister for your love, affection, your happiness, your strength and courage. A true warrior, a teacher to us all and gift to the world! You will be greatly missed, and you will forever live in our hearts. May you Rest in peace my darling beautiful Margarida.

We love you forever.

Your BIG brother Antonio and family