Margaret Edna MacMurdo McMillan

Margaret was born in Summerside PEI, and spent her childhood on her family farm in North Baddeck with her parents, Earl and Amy MacMurdo, and two sisters Janet Mildred MacMurdo (deceased) and Marian Gillespie (Willowdale, Ont.) During her life she was a caring Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt, Great Aunt and Friend. Margaret was the loving wife of her husband Alan McMillan (deceased). They were married in Bedford United Church in 1959 and made their life in Bedford. Margaret had two daughters, Janet and Heather (deceased) and is survived by her grandchildren, Katelyn Dempsey (Andrew McAloney), Matthew Dempsey, Dorset Houston, and her great grandson, Chase McAloney. She is also survived by her nieces Susan and Cynthia Gillespie whom she adored and who spent many a summer vacation with her in Nova Scotia.

Margaret attended Prince of Wales College in Charlottetown and went on to be a pioneer, graduating from Dalhousie Medical School as one of only three women in the class of 1957. She would laugh at and relish her title as "Dal Medical Queen". She set up her General practice in Bedford in 1958 with Dr. Lebrun and Dr. Fuller, and practiced there until her retirement. She was a much-loved Doctor who cared deeply for her patients and community. She loved bringing babies into the world at The Grace, and house calls were the norm. She served as the first woman president of the Dal. Medical Alumni Association and thrived organizing the Class of 1957's 50th reunion on PEI in 2007. She loved her work and was involved with the community, in the Bedford United Church, and fund raising for the new Lebrun Center. She was always athletic growing up and taught skating for Bedford Figure Skating when her daughters were involved. A good Islander, Margaret loved to play golf and was a member of both Oakfield and Ashburn. She and Alan spent many vacations on the PEI courses with her sister Marian and her husband Sid.

Margaret had a contagious laugh and enjoyed life to the fullest. Her family meant everything to her, and she was a supportive mother to her girls while maintaining a full time medical practice. She was a huge part of her grandchildren's lives, and nothing made her happier than a visit from her great grandson, Chase. She and Alan loved to travel and made many, many bicycle trips with family and their dear friends, the Fillmores. Margaret and Alan made trips to Europe, Greece, Denmark, Vienna, Budapest, Czechoslovakia, cruising the Danube and cycling in France and Ireland, to name a few. She loved to ski with family and made trips to Quebec, Maine and New Brunswick. She and Alan took dancing classes and became accomplished dancers which culminated with a trip to Vienna with her dear friend Sandra Oxner and company to the Hofburg Palace for New Years Eve. She was also to grace the stage there, singing Edelweiss for the crowd. When she retired, she joined Alan and made good on her promise to Ena and learned how to play Bridge. True to her competitive spirit, Bridge became a passion and she played at two clubs, took bridge trips, and played as often as she could.

Margaret's greatest passion was music. She served as the President of the United Church Choir, on the Board of Maritime Association of Teachers of Singing and was an active member of the Atlantic Opera Society. She sang in many performances, including Madame Butterfly, Die Fledermaus, Hansel and Gretel, The Old Maid and The Thief. She pursued her dreams and, while working full time and raising a family, she went back to Dalhousie University to pursue a Music degree. One of her greatest joys was to be asked to sing at her graduation in 1992.

Margaret was cherished by many and meant so much to all those who knew her. She was a loyal friend and was so proud of her family. She loved them fiercely. She will be greatly missed.

Margaret's family would like to thank the Doctors and staff of the QEII for their care and support. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the QEII Health Sciences Centre Foundation.

A celebration of Life service will be held at JA Snow Funeral Home at 339 Lacewood Drive on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 2pm, with a reception to follow.