World War II Veteran Margaret Helen Birnie passed away peacefully on Friday, July 8, 2022 at Pine Villa Retirement Home in her 98th year. Margaret was born on the 13th of October, 1924 in Mersea, Ontario. At the age of three, she and her family moved to Duntroon where she attended Duntroon Public School, and would later attend Collingwood Collegiate Institute. After her graduation in 1942, she signed up for the Women’s Royal Canadian Navy Service (WRCNS) and would remain there until 1945. During her time serving, she played an important role in decoding messages and determining the location of German U-boats during World War II. She would go on to receive the Bletchley Park commemorative badge for her efforts.
Margaret is predeceased by her parents Reverend Robert A. Birnie and Margaret Oman Birnie (nee Aitken), her sister Jean Larwill (2009) and brother-in-law Guy Larwill. She is survived by her nephew Robert Larwill and her niece Catherine Larwill.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to Georgian Triangle Humane Society or Emmanuel Presbyterian Church.
To sign Margaret’s Book of Memories or to forward a message of condolence please visit