Margaret Warburton

Margaret Warburton nee Rae ~ January 22, 1925 to August 3, 2011 ~ Born Margaret Rae in Cullercoats, England she had a full life. She had a successful dance school in her teens which she had to closed it when WWII broke out and she joined the RAF. As a mechanic she was required to go airborne with the pilots after servicing their planes. That was how in 1945 she met the love of her life: RCAF Flight Lieutenant Graham Warburton. A few short weeks after meeting they were married as Dad was sent home at the end of the war. She had to wait 18 months to be allowed to emigrate and join her husband. As service personnel she and others were required to help on the ship with the civilian wives and children. After a long trip by train across our great expanse to Victoria she was welcomed by Dad's large family of aunts, uncles and cousins. Over the next 10 years they were blessed with 3 children. While Dad worked his way up the corporate ladder Mom was busy building a life for our family. She was always active and when she needed a new challenge she went to work at the Vantreight Farm where she became great friends with the Vantreight family. Dad was promoted in 1958 and off we all went to North Delta to begin another leg in the journey. Helping with her children's sports and activities, creating a park like garden, helping to build St. Cuthbert's Church, working for a pediatrician among others. And then came the pool! Over 50 years time she became an expert in pool maintenance. She loved to be in the water and spent hours sharing that love with friends, children, grandchildren and then great grandchildren. Upon Dad's retirement they became even more active. They decided it was time to travel. Numerous cruises ensued, two of them around the world. In between trips she and Dad helped build the Kennedy House Senior's Centre. Mom volunteered as front office staff there for 25 years and also did choreography that was necessary for their successful shows. In latter years she had physical challenges and about 5 years ago she had to give up dancing. She fought any new limitations and until a fall a month ago that hospitalized her, she still lived and maintained her large house. Even with all that she was forced to give up, she still had her flowers and reading.

Margaret was predeceased by Graham in 1990. She leaves behind her children: Anne Newman (Dick), Rae Warburton (Leah), Robin Warburton (Ivy), grandchildren: Tony Newman, Tammy Benedict (Ken), Kelly Newman, Charlie Newman (Jill), Teri Cleary (Sean), Justin Styffe, Tara Styffe, Jeremy Warburton; great granchildren: Raeanne Bedard, Meaghan Newman, Eric Newman, Alex Newman, Kennedy Newman, Riley Benedict, Emma Cleary.

There will be no service held for Mom. In lieu of flowers we ask that you make a donation in her name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Surrey Memorial Hospital. We can't thank the staff of 3 West enough for their ministrations and caring.
Through their caring and generosity of spirit Mom's last days were filled with love and dignity. Thank you.

Goodbye Mom. As much as we will miss you we know you and Dad are together and off travelling again.