Margaret Pasco BAIRD

MARGARET PASCO BAIRD Passed away at the Lord Lansdowne Retirement Residence on August 21, 2021, in her 100th year. Beloved wife of the late Dr. Norman Baird (D.D.S) for 72 years, and survived by her children Victoria Taggart (Tom) of Ottawa and Peter (Tessa) of Vancouver. Fondly remembered by five grandchildren, Mark Taggart, Alexandra Taggart (Gordon Cudney), Adam Taggart (Amanda), Matthew Baird (Lindsay Biggar) and Anna Baird (Andrew Pal), as well as her nine great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her parents, Matthew Fletcher MBE and Florence Fletcher, one sister (Florence) and one granddaughter (Caroline Lauren). She was born in Brownsburg, Quebec, grew up in Ottawa, and attended both the Rideau St. Convent and Glebe Collegiate. Early on in her marriage raising two young children while her husband was away at dental school in Toronto, she learned to be an extreme frugality practitioner. However, once she became established, Margaret was an active participant in her community. An accomplished curler (West Ottawa Granite Club), one year she won the prestigious Beddoe Cup (reserved only for skips). She was also a golfer (Royal Ottawa Golf Club), and a skier (Ottawa Ski Club). A skilled bridge player, she was an unwavering patron of both the opera and ballet. She was also very civic minded raising funds and actively supporting organizations that matched her values. Margaret was a long time volunteer for the Women's Auxiliary of the Ottawa Civic Hospital including serving one term as its president. With her husband she was also active in Meals on Wheels and her generous support for the Canadian Nature Federation earned her a certificate of appreciation. Margaret and Norman travelled extensively to many parts of Europe as well as the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico and Bermuda. Decades of Ottawa winters would find them on Florida's Gulf Coast. She was a gardener (a member of the Ottawa Garden Club), a talented hostess who set a fine table and an ever faithful correspondent to her wide circle of friends. At the Big Rideau Lake where she spent more than 60 summers at the family cottage, her drink of choice was a Gordon's dry martini (she'd be delighted knowing you would raise one in her honour), and she sipped many of them while catching the sunsets over Briton Bay and listening to her favourite Frank Sinatra tunes. Margaret was diminutive in stature but had a special presence about her. Always sociable, she focused on being the best possible version of herself and was continuously seeking to create a positive environment for her family and friends. Sadly she struggled with the onset of dementia in recent years that robbed her of her memory and her ability to converse. While she will be missed, our sadness is tinged with relief that she is no longer at the mercy of that condition. Cremation has occurred and a private memorial will follow at a later date. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to Margaret's long time doctor, Dr. Alison Trant, her current doctor Dr. Ruth Farey and the remarkable and caring staff under the direction of Nurse Manager Judith Vidal at the Lord Lansdowne. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Margaret's name to the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County. Condolences/Tributes/Donations Hulse, Playfair & McGarry www.hpmcgarry.ca 613-233-1143