Margaret "Margot" Mears

A strong, vibrant, and much-loved woman, Margot died suddenly on February 16, 2026 at the age of 91 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital after a brief illness. Fiercely independent and determined, she believed she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. Her resilience was forged early as the eldest of five children growing up in Christchurch, New Zealand. She met challenges head-on, whether dog-paddling a mile to shore from a swamped boat at age eight or moving to Canada in 1967 with four young children.

The early years in Canada were adventurous as Margot, her husband Pat, and their children first lived in Ontario in Oakville and Noëlville, before moving to Thompson, Manitoba for a year and then finally south down to Brandon, Manitoba where they lived for fifteen years. As retirement beckoned, and after she overheard how affordable property was in Nanaimo, they settled into a beautiful home where Margot enjoyed spectacular Salish Sea views for 35 years before relocating to Victoria as her health declined.

Margot loved the ocean and island life. One of her more spontaneous, but ultimately wise decisions, was purchasing a cottage on Mudge Island, where she spent many happy summers and delighted in ferrying family and friends back and forth from Gabriola Island.

Margot was a nurse and midwife, a profession well suited for her caring and competent nature. She also possessed an entrepreneurial spirit and owned several successful businesses. Her most significant one was her Magic Mill one where she became their top salesperson, as she drove all over the prairies demonstrating her flour mill and kitchen mixer by making delicious cinnamon buns! She explored many hobbies including sewing, knitting, collecting stamps, and gardening - always curious and eager to try something new.

Margot loved travel and adventure. As a young woman she worked in South Africa; later she drove motorhomes, rode motorcycles, and enjoyed cruises. She always considered New Zealand ‘home’ and she returned often to visit extended family and lifelong friends.

Pets were an important part of her life and she shared her home with a variety of cats and dogs (Toppa, Cindy, Bobbi, Tui, Dandy, Willow and Camie.) She also loved horses and had many in the Brandon years. She especially loved driving the pony cart around!

Margot took joy in bringing people together. She welcomed family and friends warmly into her home, hosting gatherings that were lively, generous, and filled with laughter. Many of her happiest moments were spent on her sundecks overlooking the ocean, surrounded by those she loved, creating memories that will be cherished for years to come.

At her recent 90th birthday party just over a year ago Margot shared many memories and reflections of her life. She left us nine words with that she felt reflected her: Adventurous, Cheerful, Determined, Dreamer, Courageous, Resilient, Proficient, Enthusiastic, and Curious. She was truly all of those and we were all richer for having had her in our life!

Margot was predeceased by her husband Pat, parents Helen “Bee” and Eric Wills and her siblings Heather Templeton, Pippa Foley (Ged), and Rohan Wills (Kay). She will be dearly missed by her special friend Gordon Sanders, brother Tim Wills (Diane); her children Helen Bell (Brian), Anna Graham (Steve), Penny Mears (David), and Jonathan Mears (Lucy); her grandchildren Scott (Lindsay), Anika (Matt), Allison, Chris, Kevin (Karie), Jeffrey (Jeannine), Matthew, Zachariah, and Cameron; her great-grandchildren Andi, Oakley, Frederick, Adelaide, Ewan, Callum, and an eagerly anticipated great-grandchild due this spring.

Despite the medical challenges she faced, particularly in the last decade, Margot remained cheerful and was sincerely looking forward to the future. Sincere thanks to everyone who cared for Margot over the past few years with special appreciation to the staff at the Marigold House at the Summit at Quadra who ensured she was well cared for and had an interesting and enriched life!

A private cremation has been held through First Memorial Funeral Services.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, at the Esquimalt Gorge Park Pavilion. Donations in her memory may be made to the Eldercare Foundation of Vancouver Island, https://eldercarefoundation.org. Condolences may be sent to [email protected]