Chatterson, Margaret
January 28, 1929 to June 11, 2010
Margaret Chatterson of Sparwood, B.C. passed away on Friday June 11, 2010 at the age of 81.
Margaret is predeceased by her loving husband Stanley Chatterson. She is survived by her children; son Blair and wife Kathy, grandson Cody, grand-daughter Lindsay of Sparwood, BC; daughter Penny and husband Steve, grand-daughters Tawnya and Stephanie of Spruce Grove, AB; along with nieces, nephews, close family members and dear friends.
Margaret was born in Natal to parents John and Olga Hudock. She grew up and enjoyed a wonderful childhood with her siblings Gladys, Evelyn and Bobby. Margaret’s mother passed away when she was 8 years old and was brought up by her wonderful grand-mother Anna Lukco and father John Hudock. Brother Bobby passed away at a very young age. The three sisters continued to be inseparable as children which led all the way to adulthood.
Margaret’s dream was to become a teacher and went to University in Victoria. She received her teaching degree in 1951 and spent the next 32 years at this career. She started out at a little one roomed school in Newgate (south country area) and taught grades 1 to 12. The school room had a wood stove that required chopped firewood and water to be prepared and carried to the school room before the children arrived. She continued to spread her knowledge and taught many generations of people in the Michel, Natal and Sparwood areas.
Margaret met Stanley at a dance in Hosmer. Stan asked her if she wanted a ride home with 4 guys and a guitar, which she refused. The next morning Stanley showed up at her house dressed to take her to church. They were married shortly after on December 25, 1951.
Margaret always enjoyed family gatherings as they meant so much to her. Spending time with her children and grand-children was a great joy for Margaret and Stan. She enjoyed many hours with her sisters either playing cards, marbles, doing crafts or just out and about. Margaret was an avid crossword puzzler and also very hard to beat at playing crib. She would count your hand along with everyone else’s in the game. She also enjoyed countless hours at the cabin at Grave Lake with Stan and the kids – you could find her doing jigsaw puzzles, playing cards or a competitive game of horseshoes. Margaret and Stan also spent many hours out fishing with Aki and Stumpo Kimoto, two very close friends from Fernie. Stumpo and Margaret also celebrated the same birthday on January 28th.
After Margaret retired from teaching, her and Stanley travelled a little, taking in a couple of cruises and bus trips to the U.S. They would often go to the Kootenay Lakes with Gladys, Phil, Evelyn and Leon and go fishing for lake trout. They always had very close family ties.
While retired Margaret also became an Ambassador for the Titan, welcoming tourists and giving them a history of Sparwood and the mining industry. She also volunteered many hours with the Canadian Cancer Society. The yellow boxes to collect stamps for cancer were started by Margaret and placed throughout various businesses throughout the Sparwood area. She would go around to the businesses and pickup, count, sort and send the stamps through the Cancer Society to be sold overseas with all proceeds going back to the society. She was known as the Stamp Lady. Margaret was also a cancer survivor for 22 years. Margaret has also received Citizen of the Year award in 1999.
Margaret will be truly missed by family and friends.
Memorial Services were held at the Sparwood Fellowship Baptist Church on Wednesday, June 16th. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to Cherished Memories Funeral Services Ltd.