Margaret Louise Willis
(neé Watson)
After putting up an impressive resistance in keeping with her determined character, Margaret passed away peacefully on November 13th, surrounded by a few of the many people who love her. Remarkably, the sun-filled room dimmed with momentary cloud shadow, just as she made her way to the next realm - not entirely surprising, as above everything, Margaret was a child of nature.
Margaret Louise (Watson) Willis was born in Toronto April 15, 1948, the second child of Gordon and Jeanne (neé Roy) Watson, both deceased. She leaves bereft her siblings Suzanne, Paul (Christine), Elizabeth (Peter), Christine (Tom), and the three youngest, for whom she was 'petite maman,' Tom (Meme), Helen (Marc), and Valerie (Brian). Without exception, the children of all these many siblings dearly loved their Aunt Margaret.
Also mourning are Margaret's husband of 53 years, Eric, her sons, Andrew (Carolyn) and Liam, and, the absolute centre of her affection, granddaughter Rose - as well as Margaret's 'honorary daughter,' Erin, Rose's mom. She also leaves her 'outlaws,' Dave (Joanne), Ted (Heather), Greg (Jane) and Melanie (Peter), and a huge contingent of cousins on all sides. Many close friends, gathered along life's way, join this enormous group of mourners.
Eric and Margaret were high-school sweethearts, and married after undergrad degrees were completed. They both studied science, with different specialties and in different locations, Margaret at the University of Guelph and Eric at the University of Western Ontario in London. They shared a quirky sense of humour, sending one another during these school years a series of items of escalating strangeness - the object of the activity being to gross the other person out. Quite a romance. In spite of this, their devotion was absolute.
Margaret had an ability to make every person she came into contact with feel they were special. This was particularly evident in her vocation of teaching. She taught at all levels, and was especially dedicated to her Special Ed students. In her love of nature and outdoor activity - whether cross country skiing, hiking the Bruce Trail, or wandering a beach breathing in the waves and wind - Margaret was in her element. She had an exceptionally rich sense of wonder. Travel with Eric to the many wide and various corners of the world, to Asia, to Africa, to the Galapagos, and on, was always an expression of this deep openness and curiosity.
Margaret struggled with Alzheimer's during the last few years. If you have an inclination to honour her in some way, the family asks that you donate to the organization of your choice that is researching or fighting this horrible disease.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for Spring 2024. Details will be communicated when they are available. Arrangements entrusted to Affordable Cremation Services, Collingwood. www.affordablecremation.ca