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Obituary - Margaret Blanchard

Margaret Blanchard

1930 - 2024

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel - Blanchard(2024)

June 28, 1930 ~ June 25, 2024

It is with sweet sorrow that we announce the passing of Margaret June Blanchard (nee Rapson) on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. She passed away with her family by her side at her residence at the River Ridge Seniors Village in Medicine Hat, just three days shy of her 94th birthday.

Margaret was the much loved mother of daughters, Diane Blanchard, Susan (Jim) Cooper and Laurie (Tom) Hermann. Margie was the dearly loved grandmother of her nine grandchildren and their families: Jeremy Spies; Nell Spies (Anthony Morden) and their children, Lola and Ella; Miriam Spies; Jill (Todd) Regehr and their children, Avery and Owen; Lisa (Michael) MacLeod and their children, Bennett and Juna; Kevin (Janae) Cooper and their children, Mark, Miles and Jade; Lindsey (Rob) Flury and their daughter, Violet; Krista (Franz) Zemp and their children, Oliver and Josie; and Brennan (Pamela) Hermann and their daughters, Milla and Alice. She will be also fondly remembered by her sister-in-law, Beverly Rapson and many nieces and nephews. Margaret was predeceased by Gordon, her husband of nearly 70 years; infant daughter, June; sister, Mary Nell Berger; brother, Philip Rapson and brother-in-law, Ken Berger.

Margaret grew up on a farm in Winnifred, the second of three children born to Philip and Ruby Nellie (Atwood) Rapson. After graduating high school in Bow Island she attended the University of Calgary to become a teacher, like her mother before her. Over the years she taught at several schools throughout the County of Forty Mile. In 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Gordon, and they were blessed with four daughters. They moved from Conquerville to Calgary to Medicine Hat before settling on the farm at Whitla where they farmed for many years. In retirement, they lived in Bow Island before finally moving to Medicine Hat. Margaret was an active member of the Whitla community, the UCW and the Women of Unifarm where she took leadership locally and provincially. She served on the board for Mental Health in Medicine Hat and provincially for some years. Margaret was the first woman elder at St. Andrew’s United Church, Bow Island, serving with intelligence and passion and leading Sunday School at St. Andrew’s for several years with great creativity. She read voraciously and enjoyed the world of ideas. A Celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, 139 – 2 Avenue West, Bow Island on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Robert Wallace officiating. Because Margaret enjoyed colour, we invite you to wear bright colours. Interment will follow at the Bow Island Cemetery. You are further invited to share a piece of birthday cake at a time of fellowship at the Golden Age Club, 206 – 5 Avenue East, Bow Island following the service.

July 11th



 

  1. admin:
    Jun 27, 2024 at 12:04 PM

    My deepest sympathies to you all on your mother's passing.

    From,
    Nancy Dunn

  2. Doris Wutzke:
    Jun 27, 2024 at 08:30 PM

    Sincere sympathies to all your family. A beautiful lady, a life well lived.
    Robert & Doris Wutzke

  3. Kathy Nixdorf:
    Jun 27, 2024 at 11:31 PM

    My deepest sympathies on the passing of your dear mom. I remember her as one of my favourite substitute teachers. More recently, quietly supporting your dad in his many community activities but she always had time for a smile and a hello. Treasure your memories.

  4. Mary Schlachter:
    Jun 28, 2024 at 03:09 PM

    So sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. Thinking of you at this time.

    Mary & Robert Schlachter

  5. Gerald and Marie Lyczewski:
    Jun 28, 2024 at 07:09 PM

    Sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Deepest Sympathy Jerry and Marie Lyczewski

  6. Lyle and Bonne' Tuchscherer:
    Jun 29, 2024 at 09:14 PM

    Our deep sympathy to all the Blanchard family. May your ever lasting memories help ease your sorrow during this difficult time.

    Lyle & Bonne'
    Tuchscherer

  7. Jacquie Doran:
    Jun 30, 2024 at 07:34 PM

    To Margaret’s Family.
    Our sympathy to you all. Keep your many good memories close to your heart.
    Jacquie & Terry Doran

  8. Gloria and Rick Forsyth:
    Jun 30, 2024 at 11:50 PM

    Sincere sympathy to all the family on the passing of Margaret. Always remember her quietly supporting the community and her family. She had a wonderful smile. Rest In Peace.

  9. Vicky Krause:
    Jul 04, 2024 at 11:51 AM

    Diane, Susan, Laurie and families - so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. She was indeed a special lady. I have memories of so many activities that she was involved with in the Whitla community as she, along with your dad, served on many of the same local boards that my parents were part of as well. I also remember many visits to your place that usually involved your mom having some sort of lunch/snacks/coffee prepared for us around the kitchen table. Sincere condolences to you all.

  10. Barry & Marcella Brown:
    Jul 04, 2024 at 02:40 PM

    Dear Diane & family,
    Barry & I are thinking of you at this time & sending to you our most heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your Mum.
    Love & hugs
    Marcella & Barry

  11. Rose Gechter:
    Jul 05, 2024 at 12:07 PM

    Sincere sympathy to all your family, a beautiful lady, with a lovely smile. She will be missed.
    Thoughts & prayers for you all.
    Rose Gechter...

  12. Gilbert Lunseth:
    Jul 08, 2024 at 07:48 PM

    Our sympathy to all family members, a great community minded lady.

    Gilbert Lunseth & Kathi Zeller

  13. Jim and Ann Geldreich:
    Jul 09, 2024 at 02:27 PM

    Sincere sympathies to all the Blanchard families. A beautiful lady, a life well lived.
    Margie always had a smile for everyone. and will be remembered by the community.
    Treasure your memories!

  14. Rhonda Kuntz:
    Jul 09, 2024 at 02:48 PM

    I'm so very sorry to hear your Mom passed away. My thoughts and prayers are with you !!
    Rhonda and Jason

  15. Tom and LaVonne Conquergood:
    Jul 09, 2024 at 02:57 PM

    Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. When I think of your mom, I always remember her smile, and her kind words to all people. She was a great role model to all that were blessed to know her.
    Tom and LaVonne Conquergood

  16. Stephanie Kanashiro:
    Jul 12, 2024 at 03:07 PM

    We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Mrs. Blanchard (Margie). We spent many a happy time at the numerous Blanchard/Foss get togethers. We didn’t hear about the loss of Mr. Blanchard and would like to express our deepest sympathy to Diane, Susan, Laurie and families. You were all blessed with such amazing parents. We are keeping you in our thoughts as you go through this difficult time. Kelly, Steph (Foss) and family Kanashiro

  17. Brian Kerner:
    Jul 15, 2024 at 02:02 PM

    To the whole family, I am sorry to hear of Margaret passing.

  18. Margaret Benson(Wallwork):
    Jul 18, 2024 at 03:32 PM

    Thoughts and prayers with all of you at this time.

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