Margaret Elisabeth BIRD

1939 - 2024

MARGARET ELISABETH BIRD Margaret passed away peacefully, with friends and family at her side, on January 19, 2024, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She was predeceased by her husband, John Fisher; parents, Grace and James Bird; brother, Jamie; and sister, Sheila. She will be missed by her loving family: stepchildren, Susan Fisher (Firoz Ahmed) and Geoffrey Fisher (Cheryl Griffin); and grandchildren, Robin, Christopher, and Molly Ahmed. Margaret was a beloved aunt to Jim Allen (Jan), Tim Allen (Laurie), Michael Allen (Lori Knapp), Chris Allen (Lauren); and great-aunt to Cam (Nikki Mills), Geoff (Katie), Céline, Emily (Trent Lundy), Alastair, Matthew, Eve, and Ashley. Brother-in-law, John Allen; and cousin, Allison Elliot (Don Ross), also mourn her death. Margaret was born near Manchester, England, on April 17, 1939. With her siblings and Canadian-born mother, she was evacuated to Toronto in August 1940, on a convoy ship that dodged German U-boats as it crossed the Atlantic. This may have inspired her sense of adventure - she travelled extensively throughout her life and regularly surprised her family with the casual mention of an obscure destination that she had visited. Margaret attended the Ontario Ladies' College and University of Toronto's Victoria College and remained lifelong friends with several of her classmates. She earned a B.A. Hons. in English and, after working abroad for a time, obtained her teacher's certificate at UofT's Faculty of Education. Margaret taught secondary school English, and later English as a Second Language, with the Scarborough Board of Education until her retirement in 1998. It would be an understatement to say that Margaret was an active retiree. She and her ESL colleagues continued to meet regularly for lunch, two decades after school let out. She was a member of a 'bridge club' (that didn't play bridge), a supper club (that did eat supper) and the Toronto Choristers. She attended Glendon College's LLIR program for over 20 years, worked out regularly at the Granite Club and was a lifelong member of the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, where she was an active volunteer. Margaret found great love late in life with her husband, John. Together they enjoyed cottage life on Paudash Lake, travels abroad, and quiet mornings with the Globe and Mail and a coffee. They were busy grandparents, and Margaret took great delight in attending preschool music classes with each of her grandchildren, hosting sleepovers at the cottage, and engaging in their wide variety of interests. Margaret will be remembered for her warmth, her unending kindness, and for the joy that shone on her face when she caught sight of a dear friend or family member. We feel blessed to have had her in our lives. A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, with interment at a later date. The service will be livestreamed and available to view on the funeral home website. In memory of Margaret, donations to Parkinson Canada (https://www.parkinson.ca/) are appreciated. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel 416-487-4523