Obituary of Margaret Anderson Elliott

MARGARET ANDERSON (Esson) ELLIOTT May 30, 1921 - May 16, 2015 On Saturday May 16, 2015 Margaret passed away peacefully in Victoria, BC two weeks short of her 94th birthday. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 2000 and her siblings Frances Esson, Jean Holton and Bill Esson. Margaret is survived by her daughter Jean (Mike) McVea of Victoria BC, and her son Bill (Dawn) Elliott of Regina, SK. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Matt (Susan Roh) McVea, David (Ashley Smith) McVea, Meghan (Andre Shoucri) Elliott and Tom (Andrea Macera) Elliott; and great-grandchildren: Declan, Pippa, Levi and Claire. Margaret was born and raised in Rosetown, SK. She married Bill in 1946 upon his return from serving in Europe with the RCAF during WW II. After Bill completed law school in Saskatoon they settled in Regina. Bill joined the law firm MacPherson, Leslie and Tyerman eventually becoming senior and managing partner. Marg and Bill had a wide circle of friends -- they loved to entertain. They quickly became very engaged in the many activities Regina offered. They were strong supporters of the arts, notably the McKenzie Art Gallery. They also led fundraising initiatives in support of causes such as Regina’s Cancer Lodge. Marg and Bill spent over three decades involved with the CAA, where they made friendships with people across the country and around the world during their travels with the Association. Margaret’s great passion was golf. She had a ‘Bobby Jones’ natural swing and developed her game at a young age. Her father hand crafted clubs for her and turned part of the family’s farm into a 3-hole golf course. She practiced her game on Rosetown’s 9 hole, sand green course. She won numerous tournaments as a teenager and to this day remains the youngest woman to win a Canadian provincial golf championship – in 1936 at age 15 -- and with just 5 clubs in her bag! In 1938 she competed in the Canadian Women’s Open in Ottawa. She went on to win the Regina and Saskatoon Ladies’ Championships, multiple Wascana Club and Lobstick Championships, as well as competing in the provincial Ladies Senior’s Championships in 1978 and 1981, finishing as runner up in both years. She and Bill were long time members of the Wascana Country Club in Regina. She supported ladies golf in many ways in her later years - as a mentor, rules resource and tournament sponsor of the Senior’s division of the Regina Ladies Golf Tournament. In their retirement years, Marg and Bill loved to winter in Rancho Mirage, California where they found great joy hosting family and entertaining their friends -- all this while being able to golf year round. She loved her family and looked forward to hosting Sunday dinner for them and their close friends Swain and Frances Smith. Some of her fondest memories came from those great meals and fantastic dinner debates, solving the issues of the day. The family would like to thank the staff at Parkwood Court Care Home in Victoria BC for taking such good, compassionate care of our mom. They enjoyed her spirit, great sense of humour and positive outlook on life. At Margaret’s request there will be no funeral. There will be a private family graveside service in Regina, when Margaret will be laid to rest with her husband and best friend Bill. A gathering for family and friends to celebrate Margaret’s life will be held soon, details to follow. Flowers gratefully declined. Friends so wishing may make donations to: The National Sport Trust Fund, Attention: Golf SK Junior Girls Development Fund,1870 Lorne Street, Regina, SK, S4P 2L7. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com