In memoriam: Margaret Ellen Sawchuk

With great sadness we announce the loss of our matriarch Margaret Ellen Sawchuk.

Born on a farm in Saskatchewan to William and Lily Bilawchuk, she was the eldest of eight siblings. In her teens, she moved to Edmonton and worked as an au pair in a home for orphaned girls.

She met and married Peter Sawchuk and, after the birth of their two children, David and Carol, they moved to Whitehorse, then Fort Nelson, until 1977 when their next venture was to open McLeod’s Hardware here in Powell River. Margaret worked at the post office in Fort Nelson then in Powell River until she retired.

Margaret dedicated her life to Jesus as a teenager and spent her life living as the Bible told her so. She was a very generous person and was always willing to help, and saw the best in us all. Although severe health issues took their toll, she always managed to beat the odds and return home and carry on. She lived independently until her last week of life.

Margaret was well known for her love of birds, fostering many in need, from parrots to love birds and any type in between. She adopted two dogs from the United States when a hurricane had displaced so many pets. She loved to play cards and had recently learnt to play chess from her companion, Don.

She is survived by her children David and Carol; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Nova and Robyn (Brodie, Presley and Bearet), Jennifer and Michael (Teagan); siblings Ruby, Jane (Reg) and Ed; as well as many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; and her in-laws Ed (Carol), John, Alex and Darlene. She was predeceased by her parents, husband and siblings,Arlene, Larry, Eugene, Ken and Ron.

Thank you to Dr. Melissa Meyer and all of the local hospital emergency room and fourth floor doctors and staff, home support and BC Ambulance Service attendees for the compassionate care they provided to Margaret over the years.

Margaret had requested no tears and no service; but, her friends at the senior centre will be hosting an informal drop-in tea to remember her on July 20, 2022, from 2 to 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her honour would be greatly appreciated to the local SPCA and/or PROWLS.