Margaret STEFFICH

Margaret Katherine Steffich (Baird)
Marg, Mom, Maggie, Marge, Nana
Born on October 17th, 1933 in Vancouver and Passed on June 15th, 2014 .
The only child of Thomas and Jean Baird (predeceased) held on tightly as her parents scraped and put together a life in Vancouver during the '30s. Margaret and her mom literally minded the Victoria Drive store as her dad left daily with his toolbox in search of work. They moved to a shack on the back of the property on 2200 Block East 47th while Tom built the house on the front of the property when he came home from work and on weekends. Tecumseh Elementary, John Oliver SS and Pitman Business College were her schools. Young and beautiful she met Ray "Dreamy" Steffich (predeceased 1986). They married in 1952 and from 3rd Avenue in the East End grew her kids Mike (Christina), Mark (Phyllis), Matt (Chris) & Kathy (Dave). By 24 she was raising 4 kids. When her kids were old enough she volunteered at Sunnyhill Hospital and returned to work at Eaton's Warehouse where she met some great new friends.
We understate the impact of her on our lives. This is attested by her beloved grandchildren, Adam (Meghan), John (Lindsay), Adam (Amy), Ryan, Sam (Jaclyn), Cody, Maya, Tessa, Austin, Jessie and Dakota and two great-grandsons, Domenic and Jacob.
She made our house our home. It was these pillars that held it up.
Ray was her love and of massive importance to her. Together they were a formidable tag team. As children there was never any doubt to us that they loved each other and demonstrated their affection. Ray was a well-loved and respected man yet mom's standing equalled his and she was not to be tangled with when expressing a sometimes activist opinion.
To know that her children are tight is one of her greatest hopes. "Be nice" was a motto for sibling harmony.
Marg used her wit and sarcasm to make her many points. When she was old enough to not care and wise enough to "shoot" more quickly, her wit was Joan Rivers-like, quite sassy. It could sting when you got it.
Peace and order was another pillar, though this was the shakiest. Four children took a toll on peace in her life but she certainly ordered our home. Our house was a pleasure to live in, safe and nourishing.
Food!!! grilled cheese, pickles, milk, colour-coded plastic cups, Mocha Java, lunches so good they were a prime theft target. From a meat and potatoes Scot to a cook who tried many adventurous recipes we thank her Slav mother-in-law and the Slav/Italian Ladies Night crew. We loved "dress rehearsal" meals.
Her last few years she lived in comfort at Maple Ridge Senior's Village. Thank you to the staff for their genuine care. A special thanks to the residents of this home. Their real love and support of our mom was something unexpected and beautiful. Singing, playing cards, going on outings and yacking with so many new people with amazing stories turned out to be more than what we bargained for. As well the nurses and doctors at both Ridge Meadows Hospital and McKenney Creek Hospice, who were wonderful and caring beyond their jobs.
We love our mom; she loved us so! We will all miss the fact that this opportunity has passed away. As mom passed she touched a doubting Thomas promising us all that we will meet again in great celebration. Like a child too young to buy his own gift for his Dad, we gave Marg to Ray on Father's Day 2014, the most precious Father's Day gift imaginable.
Graveside 1:00 PM at Oceanview Cemetary in Burnaby on Friday June 20th.
Memorial/Reception at Famee Furlane (Clinton Hall) 2605 Pender Street, Vancouver.
And please don't forget, "No phone calls between 5 and 6!"