Margaret Frances (Martell) MacQueen, daughter of the late John and Amy (Francis) Martell, was born on April 18, 1926, in Port Morien. Mom spent her early years on Flint Island, where her father was the Lighthouse keeper. In her teens, she and her sister, Audrey, moved to Annapolis Valley to work in an apple factory. Upon their return to Port Morien a couple of years later, she worked in retail. In 1953, she married Archibald ‘Skipper’ MacQueen; together, they raised seven children in the community of Port Morien.
Mom loved to bake and was well-known for her bread, cakes, and pies. She was always catering events, making everything from squares to turkey dinners to wedding cakes – doing for others brought her great joy. She always greeted you with kind words, a hug, and the biggest smile. No matter who you were, there was always room for a cup of tea and a little “goodie.”
Mom was a kind, caring, and compassionate lady who loved her family, church, and community. She was active in the community as President of the Port Morien Community Fair, member of the Port Morien Development Association, Captain of the Port Morien Cancer Society Canvassers, Captain of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Drive for Port Morien, Chairperson of the Christian Education Committee, Superintendent of the Sunday School, Clerk of Session, and a member of the Choir at St. John’s United Church. Mom was also the past President of both local and Sydney Presbytery of the United Church Women, past Chairperson of the Sydney Presbytery United Church of Canada, past Chairperson of the Cape Breton Branch of the Canadian Bible Society, and past President of the Rebekah District Association. Over the years, she has been well-recognized for her many accomplishments, including being presented with the Queens Diamond Jubilee Award.
Margie is survived and will be dearly missed by her seven children Lois (Rod) Partin, Calgary, Allan, Calgary, Ethel (Barrie) Campbell, Glace Bay, Duncan (Kim), Glace Bay, Ginny (Glenn) McLanders, Sydney, John (Anne), Brampton, and Stephen (Diane), Calgary. Sixteen grandchildren: Michael (Cindy), Lindsay, Jeff (Kaeleigh), Leah (Colin), Lauren, Jenna (Adam), Anna (Dave), Brett (Alex), Brandon, Korri (Christian), Jamie (Zach), Kelsey, Mark (Hailey), Katie, Shailyn, and Faith; six great-grandchildren: Mya, Clark, Olivia, Cole, Elsie, and Abigail; sisters Lillian (Alf) Pettipas, Pictou and Alice MacLeod, Port Morien; brother Jerry (Betty) Martell, Port Morien, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Margaret was predeceased by her husband Skipper; siblings William (Edna), Ethel, Raymond, Harold, John (Faye), Loren (Thelma), Audrey (Don), Kenneth (Anita), Murray (Sylvia), and Marion (Ted); father and mother-in-law Duncan and Jane MacQueen; brothers-in-law the Very Rev. Angus MacQueen (Netta), Rev. Stanley MacQueen (Florence), Donnie MacQueen (Charity, Anita), and Clifford MacLeod; sisters-in-law Clara Andrews (Ernie), and Kaye MacQueen; and other cherished loved ones.
We express our sincerest gratitude to John MacIntyre & the staff of 3 East Glace Bay General Hospital, Cape Breton Regional Hospital Emergency Department, Seaview Manor, Dr. Ley, Dr. MacLachlan, and Dr. Boutilier.
Donations in Mom’s honor may be made to St. John’s United Church Cemetery Fund Port Morien or the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia.
Visitation will be on Saturday, September 10, from 6 pm to 9 pm at Patten Funeral Home, 71 Union St., Glace Bay. The funeral service will be on Sunday, September 11, at 2 pm, at St. John’s United Church, Port Morien, with Rev. Bob Biggar officiating. If unable to attend, the service will also be available on the Patten Funeral Home Facebook page. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.pattenfuneral.com.
Interment to follow at a later date.
