nee Varga
Sunrise: March 3, 1921
Sunset: February 6, 2016
It is with deep sadness that the family of Margaret B. Ball announces her sudden passing on February 6, 2016 at her home in Nelson, BC. Margaret had a long and interesting life and she was our world and our guiding light.
Margaret was born on March 3, 1921 in Turlong, Romania formerly a part of the Austro-Hungarian empire which ceased to exist after the Treaty of Versailles ended World War I in 1918 in Europe. She spoke often of the early years of her life in the “old country” and coming to Canada aboard ship and landing at Pier 21 in Halifax, NS and her first taste of Canada and not understanding that the luggage porter or ‘Red Cap’ was not trying to make off with her younger sisters. Her family was then offered food baskets for the train trip west to Saskatchewan. After attending school and working on neighbouring farms, Margaret broke a wedding engagement and headed for British Columbia and worked as a nanny for a Nelson, BC family and then as a waitress. She met her future husband Gordon E. Ball, in July of 1943 in Nelson, BC and they were married in September of 1943 at the manse of St. Paul’s United Church. Their first child, Margaruitte Gail, was born in 1945 in St. Mary’s Hospital in New Westminster, BC while Gordon was recovering from a MVA at his work place for BC Securities Commission, in St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. Margaret was providing a home to come home to in New Westminster, BC Margaret and Gordon Returned to Nelson, BC in 1946 where their second child Kathleen Dale, was born in 1947 in the Nelson Hospital.
Margaret began her hospital employment in 1947 and became a member of the Hospital Employees Union as well as being secretary for a time. Margaret retired temporarily from the Kootenay Lake Hospital in 1968 and then began working at Mount St. Francis infirmary shortly there after, retiring permanently in 1986. During 1974 to 1978, Margaret became a shareholder and a Vice-President for a local tugboat company. It was a family business venture. After retirement from “the Mount”, Margaret became involved in several clubs and organizations such as St. Paul’s Trinity/Nelson United Church, the Rebekkahs, Mount St. Francis Auxiliary, The Good Companions formerly the Dorothy Foster Group and the United Church Choir. She was close to family both hers and her sister’s families.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Gordon E. Ball, her parents Daniel Varga and Margit Simon, her sisters, Annie, Cecilia, and Irene, her infant brother, Lloyd, her in-laws, Sidney T. and Edna Frances Ball and 22 sisters and brothers in law and special friend, Helen Catley. Many friends and associates have predeceased Margaret and the family would like to thank all those who’ve provided moral support during this time.
Margaret is survived by her daughters, Margaruitte Gail Murphy and Kathleen Dale Livingston and grandchildren Sean (Connie) Murphy, Daniele Murphy and Marti Livingston (Ivan Cat) and great grandchildren Dyllan Murphy, Caitlynn Murphy, Martin Murphy and Seifert Livingston Cat. Margaret is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families as well as her cousins Olga Simon (Dryden, Ont.) and Lorna Simon (Calgary, Alberta).
Margaret enjoyed travel whenever possible to places like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Disneyland, Saskatchewan with her husband, Gordon. She travelled to Montreal, Quebec with her daughter Kathleen, as well as several points in British Columbia. The trip she wished to take to the “old country” in Romania in 1994 with her sisters and brother in law was interrupted by her husband’s medical diagnosis and lifestyle change.
Margaret was an avid gardener and provided the family with fresh produce over the years. She had graduated to a container garden in recent years and had much success with seeds and volunteer plants. Her garden kept her interested in life.
Margaret’s family would like to thank all those who provided care for Margaret over the last 5 years. Dr. Martha Wilson, Emergency Unit Staff Paramedics, Third Floor Nurses and Support Staff, Home Support and all those who attended Margaret the morning she took her final bow on the stage of life. Thank you also to Neil Murphy who provided support and maintenance to Margaret over the last few years.
Thank you very much to Judy Cameron, Barbara McKenzie and Edna Whitely for your moral support and friendship to Margaret over many years.
Margaret’s funeral arrangements are being handled by Thompson’s Funeral Service. Interment will be in Trail, BC and a Celebration of Life is still to be determined.
A viewing of Margaret was held on February 13, 2016 between 2pm and 4pm.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca