Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
MARGARET TOLLEFSEN Obituary
Margaret Tollefsen (nee Henstridge) passed away peacefully on August 11th, 2025 at the age of 99. She was the beloved wife and partner of the late Frantz Tollefsen. Margaret was the proud mother of Peter (Jayne), Erik (Nancy) and Steven (Lori) and the loving grandmother of Jessica, Emma, Kristin (Divesh), Sean (Bryanne), Hunter (Leanne), Turner (Rileigh) and great grandmother of Laine. Margaret was born and grew up in St Lambert, Quebec, along with four younger brothers. She graduated from the Montreal Business School and worked in Montreal. "Maggie" always loved singing and together with her father Thomas participated in variety shows throughout the province to entertain the armed forces during WWII. She met Frantz Tollefsen on a blind date on a river cruise on Lac St. Louis and they married six months later. The happy couple settled in Pointe Claire, Quebec, and raised three rambunctious boys. The family moved to Fort William (now Thunder Bay) in 1966. Frantz worked for Great Lakes Paper and Margaret became the secretary at St. Paul's Church. The family enthusiastically embraced winter sports, including downhill and cross-country skiing and ice fishing. In their later years, Marg and Frantz designed and moved to their beloved house in the woods at Pigeon River where Margaret enjoyed gardening, feeding the birds and climbing down the cliff to swim in the river. Margaret had a wonderful spirit of adventure and sense of fun. She wanted to participate in everything that was happening around her. Margaret always enjoyed welcoming family and friends to her home. A great conversationalist, she loved to debate politics. Margaret would often make astounding statements ending with "Oh well". A friend to all and all her friends. Margaret will be deeply missed by her family and friends. A private family service will be held at a future date.
On-line Condolences may be sent to www.blakefuneralchapel.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MARGARET TOLLEFSEN
Sponsored by Blake Funeral Chapel.
10 Entries
Diane Aldrich
August 28, 2025
Rob and I used to love taking Marg to lunch with Fred and Stella Alexander. It was always a very lively lunch. Marg asked me to sing the Theme Song from the Carol Burnett Show. She has substituted words to make this hers.
I'm so glad we've had this time together.
Just to have a laugh, or sing a song.
Seems we just get started and before you Know it
Comes the time we have to say "So Long".
There's a time you wanna put aside for dreamin,
And a time for things you have to do.
But the time I like the best is any evening
I have spent a moment here with you.
That's why I'm glad we had this time together.
Cause it makes me feel like I belong.
Seems we just get started and before you know it
Guess it's time we have to say "So Long".
So long everybody.
Marg, you and Rob can have lunch anytime together now.
Kim Phillips (Aldrich)
August 28, 2025
I was sad to see that Mrs. Tolly has passed. I have many fond memories of her and of the family. Beginning at St. Paul's, at a young age, with the Junior Auxillary, then Brownies. Our families did many things together, dinners, camping, skiing, game nights, etc. After I moved to Manitoba I made sure to visit her every time I came to town, at the house on Vickers, then out at the house on Pigeon River. I didn't know that she climbed down and up the steep rocks to go for a swim but am not at all surprised. I then lost touch after my mom, Lyn Aldrich passed away in Aug. of 2016. On my last visit with Mrs Tolly she was living up in her suite in Academy Towers and we had a wonderful time reminiscing. I often think of her and the wonderful engaging and funny woman she was. She will be greatly missed by very many.
Carol Anuik
August 27, 2025
Rest in peace dear Margaret. So many memories of you at St Paul´s. I could always count on you for your monthly donation to our Shelter House lunches. Can still picture you coming in and having a little chat
The MacDougalls
August 25, 2025
Dear Peter: u and ur family r in our thoughts and prayers. I remember your mom being the life of the party and full of wonderful stories about u and ur family. She will be missed by all of us. Take care and love to all. Aunt Lynne and family
Paul and Lorraine Harrison
August 24, 2025
Peter and family, we are very sorry to hear of your mother's passing and send our sincere condolences to you all. Paul and I have fond memories of Margaret when she would visit with Peter and Jayne in Ancaster, She was always ready to tackle anything and was so much fun. Our heartfelt love and sympathy, Paul and Lorraine Harrison
Kim simpson
August 24, 2025
Grandma Margaret always made you feel like family. When I lived in Thunder Bay for school, she always went out of her way to prepare a warm meal and have a nice chat. She was such a sweet and caring person.
Sending deep love and many condolences to your family. She will be so missed!
Marni Johnson
August 24, 2025
Margaret was an amazing woman. She and Franz were good friends of my parents - Noni and Harvey Johnson. They had a lot of fun parties together! Margaret was always so sweet to me. My Mother and I had some great visits to Pigeon River where Margaret was always a fabulous host. My heart aches for all of you.
Fred & Stella Alexander
August 24, 2025
Sincere sympathies to Peter, Erik, Steven and families. The Tollefsen and Alexander families both moved from La Belle Province in 1966. Margaret was returning from driving Frantz to Great Lakes Paper one day when she noticed a car with a Quebec license plate, so she followed it down Catherine Street and noted where it stopped. Later she came by and knocked on the door and introduced herself to my Mother. There began the long family relationship. We used to alternate for Christmas dinners , one year at the Tollefsen´s and the next at the Alexander´s. The "left hander´s sat together on one side of the dinner table , Steven, Sister Janet and my wife Stella. Lefties and righties don´t necessarily mix on the same side of the table! The attached picture was taken in the 1970"s on a camping trip to Quetico. Notice the "Lefties" on the one side of the table, sister Janet after Margaret, Steven and wife Stella. As you can tell, we were having a great time! The last visit with Margaret was April 2023 when Rob and Diane Aldrich, Stella and I took her out for lunch at Five Forks. We had a wonderful conversation and a good meal. We remember the good times we had together as families.
Heather Miller
August 23, 2025
I´m so sad to hear of Margaret´s passing. She volunteered for me while I was library technician at Edgewater School Library many years ago. During our time together she was like a second Mom to me and a grandma to all the school kids, not just her own. We laughed, cried, and enjoyed so many great moments. She was always up for fun and adventure. Recently I came across a photo of us together dressed up in Halloween costumes, and wondered how she was doing. I wish now that I would have reached out. Condolences to her family and friends. She was truly one of a kind.
Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results