Margaret Lasser

Margaret Lasser lived a quiet life but she made a huge impact on the lives of her 4 children, 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. She had enormous patience and even though she was often challenged to the limit, she seldom showed anger or disappointment.

Margaret, born Peggy Wray, in New Westminster, October 22, 1931, lived her early life in Squamish, with her parents Lonnie & Annie Wray and three brothers, Burt, Buster, and Bill. However, her Father owned a logging company and instead of staying at home while he was in camp, her Mother (Annie) and the kids joined him in the camps. Annie cooked and home schooled the kids. Margaret often talked about growing up in the logging camps and the shenanigans she and her brothers got into.

She finished school and went to business school in Vancouver learning secretarial skills. She worked for several years before marrying Frank Lasser in 1953. They had four children Peggy, Frances, Marsha and Keith. In 1960, the family settled into a 2 acre property in Whonnock, east of Maple Ridge. There was never a dull moment with Margaret keeping everyone on the right track. She loved having animals so there were always dogs, cats, horses, and chickens. They all became important members of the family. Margaret was the most loving of mothers. Every morning as her kids went off to school, she would wave to them from the kitchen window as they walked or drove past. It was her special way of sending love and happy thoughts to her family. It’s a tradition that continues with her family to this day.

In the mid-1970s, she began working at the A&W in Maple Ridge as a cook. She quickly developed friendships that lasted many years. She worked several jobs until she was into her early 70’s. Wanting to keep active, she volunteered at Pacific Riding for the Disabled, the Food Bank and when she moved to Meadow Highlands Mobile Home Co-Operative, she volunteered for many activities.

She lived in Meadow Highlands for 27 years. She loved the community and with her ready smile, she quickly became friends with her neighbours, playing Crib and Horseshoes. When at home, she enjoyed working in her yard, making beautiful hooked rugs, quilts, and Christmas crafts for her family.

She spent her time visiting Frances on Vancouver Island, picking blackberries and watching flocks of birds at the feeders. She visited Marsha in Edgewater and Brisco going camping and fishing at Marsha’s favourite lakes, hanging out with the miniature goats and visiting her grandson, Clayton and her great granddaughter Aubree. She visited Keith and his family in the Shuswap going out on the boat and exploring the local area. But her big trips were twice a year when she would join Peggy and her granddaughter, Rebecca for several weeks in Hawaii. She loved walking on the beach, dipping in the ocean (even into her mid-eighties), dinners out, doing jigsaw puzzles, and generally enjoying the warm sunshine and special family times.

Margaret was kind, gentle, soft-spoken, and loving. She held strong beliefs on treating others with respect no matter who they were. She believed in honesty as the best policy and had a high degree of integrity. Her oft heard motto was “let your conscience be your guide”. Important values she instilled in her children and grandchildren. She had a great sense of humour, a ready laugh, and was an optimist and positive influence on her children and grandchildren.

She is greatly missed by her family, Peggy Lasser, Rebecca Lumley & Family, Frances Lasser & Jim Russell, Marsha Lasser & Curtis Nicholls, Clayton Lasser & Family, Keith & Jamie Lasser (Jacob & Koltan), Justin Lasser & Family, Katie Horkoff & Family, and Amie Lasser & Family.