MARGARET COCKBURN

MARGARET COCKBURN of Pioneer Lodge, Moose Jaw, passed away peacefully Monday, May 8, 2006 after several years of declining health. Margaret was born on September 7, 1919 to Charles and Huldah Lowe at the family farm in the Baildon district.  She and her brothers Norman and Ben were best friends during their childhood years and throughout their lives. Margaret attended Cataraqui School, took high school correspondence classes at home and finished grade 12 at Briercrest School.  She then attended Normal School in Moose Jaw and in 1941 began teaching at Flowing Well in the Fair Valley School district in southwest, Saskatchewan. Over the next few years she taught at Petrolia, Regina, Tuxford, and Moose Jaw. In 1949 she married Don Cockburn and moved to the Briercrest district where she quickly became involved in community, school and church activities.  The family moved to Moose Jaw in 1961 where Margaret continued the career she loved – making many long-lasting friendships with students and colleagues. Following her retirement in 1980, she enjoyed gardening, playing bridge with friends or an evening of cards with her husband, her brothers and sisters-in-law.  And, she made sure her grandchildren knew how to play cribbage!  Until her recent illness, Margaret was active in St. Andrew’s United Church and for many years was involved in the spring canvass for the Canadian Cancer Society.  Predeceased by her parents, husband, Don, grandson, Steven Edge and his wife, Shelagh Newsham-Edge, brother and sister-in-law, Norman and Frances Lowe; sisters-in-law: Gladys Frere, Barbara Murray and Gertie Moffatt; brothers-in-law: Woodrow Cockburn and Mac Murray; nieces: Laureen Cockburn, Carol (Murray) Tenbroek and her husband, Hamilton and Nora (Cockburn) Hambridge.  Margaret will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Charlotte (Ken) Edge, Leanne (Mark) Svaren and baby Lacey, Jennifer Edge; son, Fred (Julie) Cockburn, Glenda and Tim, brother, Ben (Jean) Lowe; brother-in-law: Keith (Norah) Cockburn and sister-in-law, Agnes Murray, as well as several special nieces, nephews and cousins. Following cremation, private family memorialization will take place at Sunset Cemetery. A Celebration of Margaret’s Life will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. in the St. Andrew’s United Church, 60 Athabasca St. E., Moose Jaw. Reverend Dr. Donald Laing will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Briercrest Community Centre, Briercrest, S0H 0K0, St. Andrew’s United Church New Grace U.C.W., 60 Athabasca St. E., Moose Jaw, S6H 0L2 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 61B Ross St. W., Moose Jaw, S6H 2M2. In living memory of Margaret, a tree will be planted in Wakamow Valley by W.J.Jones & Son Funeral Home.

Guest Book

Robert  and Corliss Okerstrom - Moose Jaw, SK: Charlotte sorry to hear about your Mom passing.   Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Your Mom will be at peace and out of pain now.

Joy White: Mrs Cockburn was my teacher at Alexandra School for several years and we all learned as much from her kindness and understanding as we did from the lessons she taught us.  Rest in peace Mrs. Cockburn and God bless you ..

Sheila Leahy - Moose Jaw, SK: Our deepest sympathy to Marg's family. She will be missed here at St. Andrew's.  I use to call her my" little bulletin angel" as whenever she could she would gather the bulletins left in the pews on Sundays.  She would always give me a hug and tell me it was her small way of helping me out.  I really appreciated it when she would do that for me.  I also remember a time when she was working in the sacristy putting away the communion glasses and no one knew she was still in there working.  The caretaker that was working that day set the alarm and when Marg came out in the sanctuary the alarm went off.  Needless to say the police arrived and we had just come back from lunch and naturally when we saw the police there we had to find out why.  I took the police in to find little Marg working away in the sacristy.  She was very concerned she had caused this commotion. We told her not to worry these things sometimes happen.  She was a kind hearted, gentle woman and her suffering is now over. May her family find strength to get through the days ahead, comfort, peace and hope. 

Lynne Cockburn - Regina, SK: Dear Fred and Charlotte: I remember your Mom's unfailing good
nature and soft spokenness when Eleanor, Jim and I were at your place "playing" ~ running around and, perhaps, arguing over whether we could play with one of Charlotte's dolls! My thoughts are with you and your families. Love, Lynne

Corey Olynik - Calgary, AB: Fred - loss is tough; memories are precious. Your mother touched so many: her students, her neighbours, her church friends, and me too. The world is a better place because God lives in people like her. My prayers are with you and your family today.

Marg Reid - Saskatoon, SK: Dear Fred, Charlotte and Families, I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing.  I remember how she always had a huge hug for me every time we met, and how no matter what, she was interested in where my life was taking me.  I still remember being asked to serve at Charlotte's Trouseau Tea, and how proud I was to be asked.  Your mother and I shared a love of education and I will miss her. Love Marg

Charlotte McGhee - Saskatoon, SK: Dear Charlotte, Fred and Families, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing.  She was a lovely person and I enjoyed her very much.  My thoughts and prayers are with you now.  Love Auntie Kath

Linda Stewart  - Moose Jaw, SK: I was sorry to hear of Mrs. Cockburn's passing. I met her a few years ago at a Petrolia reunion. She and my mother had a very emotional reunion themselves. My mother was never one of her students but in September of 1942 my grandmother died (my grandfather was away, in the airforce) and my mother was sent to her grandparents home which was just down the road from the Petrolia school. Margaret sent word to them that since they were making arrangements for burying their daughter that they should send my then 9 year old mother to the school. She sent all of her students out into the yard to play and she sat and talked with my mother for hours. While they were sitting there the Superintendent of Schools dropped in and seeing the children in the play yard he demanded to know why she wasn't "teaching mathematics or history or english". When he was told what she was doing his only comment before leaving was "Carry on". My mother still remembers the kind, thoughtful and caring lady who sat and spent time with her on one of the saddest days of her life. Even though I only met her that one weekend of the reunion I will always remember that special woman who gave of herself to that sad 9 year old girl so long ago. God bless her. I know that there is a special place for her in heaven.

Nellie Brockes - Surrey, BC: Margaret, I am glad we had the chance to visit a couple of years ago when you came to BC and stayed at Mabel's.  We were cousins and I still remember when we were kids.  Nellie.

Sign Guest Book

(Your condolence will not appear immediately)