April 30, 1920 - January 11, 2014
April 30, 1920
January 11, 2014
CAMPBELL, Magdalene Buchanan Died at home on January 11, 2014. Magdalene was born in Winnipeg on April 30, 1920. Her father James McBryde who was born in Liverpool, England and her mother Bella who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland had met and married in Winnipeg. Magdalene grew up in Winnipeg with her parents and her two sisters, Elspeth and Pat, and her brother Bill. All her life Magdalene had fond memories of growing up in Winnipeg and enjoying the snowy winters as a child and her family's cottage at Gimli in the summers. In 1947 Magdalene and Elspeth moved to Vancouver hoping to live on their own, but their mother and father followed them to retire in Vancouver and in those days un-married daughters were expected to live at home. In 1952 Magdalene met Graham and they were married in 1954. In 1956 their son Warren was born and they lived on West Broadway near Alma. Magdalene worked for Woodward's in the accounts department as a comptometer operator until those machines were replaced by computers. In 1967 Magdalene and Graham and their son moved into the house they had had built in Tsawwassen. She was able to enjoy living in that house for the rest of her life. Among activities she enjoyed were knitting, cross-stitching pictures, baking, and making pickles and jam. All things she had learned to do while growing up in a traditional household in Winnipeg. A Cowichan style sweater Magdalene knitted for Graham in the late 1950s can still be worn by her son today. She was also a great reader of murder mysteries. Magdalene enjoyed political arguments with friends who had different opinions. The arguments were always good natured. She generally disliked politicians. She could get worked up about things and she had a stubborn streak, but she never stayed angry. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Delta Hospital Auxiliary thrift shop in Ladner for many years. Magdalene and Graham enjoyed travelling together in Canada and went to many RCAF reunions after Graham retired. They were very happy together and Magdalene took good care of Graham until his death in 2006. She remained close to her sisters and brother and was always kind and loving to her husband and son. Her son would like to thank Marcelina Almeda, who was Magdalene's very kind live in care giver for nearly five years and made it possible for Magdalene to remain in her own house until the end. Magdalene is survived by her son Warren, who misses her very much, her sister Pat Gobeil in Winnipeg and nieces and nephews. A private service has taken place at Boundary Bay Cemetery.
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