Margaret Christine LAURENCE

LAURENCE, Margaret Christine "Peg"
June 26, 1925 – February 23, 2018
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest Mum and Nana. Peg was born in Victoria in 1925 and grew up in Vancouver, the beloved daughter of Thomas and Margaret Wilkinson. She was a student at York House School, where she made lifelong friendships, and then attended the University of British Columbia, where she studied psychology and sociology and met her future husband, Robert Laurence. They married in 1948 and moved to Toronto, where Rob was a graduate student in geology and Peg worked for the Children's Aid Society, establishing a career in social work, a profession she loved. John, the first of their four children, was born in 1949 and the family lived in a succession of small Alberta towns before settling in Calgary in 1952. There, Peg was a stay-at-home mum, a gifted gardener, and a busy volunteer before returning to university and earning her Master's degree in social work in 1972. She was a counselor at Calgary Family Services for a number of happy years before retiring with Rob to Vancouver, where she enjoyed the company of old friends and family and new grandchildren. Following Rob's death in 1992, Peg moved to North Vancouver, revelling in her closeness to the forest, her big flower garden, and her lovely neighbours. In 2012, she moved into Cedar Springs and delighted in the beautiful surroundings, the delicious food, the loving attention of the staff, and the warmth of new friendships. She was an avid reader, a dedicated bridge player, an enthusiastic traveller, and an astute follower of world affairs. Peg died in her sleep on February 23, 2018 predeceased by her husband Rob Laurence, her brothers Ted and Pete Wilkinson, and her son-in-law Ian McDougall, all of whom she loved dearly. She is survived by her son John Laurence, her daughters Robin Laurence, Karen Laurence and Anne (David) Stobart, and her grandchildren Amy, Claire, Mick, Liam, and Robbie. We are grateful that her passing was peaceful but we deeply miss her warm hugs and her wonderful ability to listen to others with compassion and understanding. Special thanks to the great staff at Cedar Springs and to all her friends there. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, at Boal Chapel, 1505 Lilloet Road, North Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations to the UBC Botanical Gardens would be welcome.