MARGARET “MAGGIE” GARDIN
Margaret Elizabeth Gardin, nee McGuigan, eternally loved wife of Gerry Gardin, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 21st, 2018 at the age of 62 years.
Brought into this world in Derry City, Ireland on October 2, 1955, Maggie (as she was so lovingly referred to) immigrated to Edmonton Alberta, Canada in 1959 with her parents and 4 of her eventual 7 siblings in the McGuigan Clan.
Maggie enjoyed her upbringing in Edmonton. Belonging to a close-knit family, you would rarely find her without the company of at least one of her siblings. Attending various schools and eventually graduating from O’Leary Composite High School in 1973, Maggie began working in the Traffic department and Billing office of Burns Transport in Edmonton. Soon after, opportunity would bring Maggie to Calgary, to continue working as a dispatcher for Burns.
It would be in Calgary that Maggie would come to meet the love of her life, Gerry. After a brief courtship that epitomizes love-at-first-sight, Maggie would endeavor to join Gerry, along with his two daughters, Angie and Ally, in Gerry’s native city of Lethbridge. From there they built on their family, welcoming two more daughters, Lindsey and Meagan, and creating a life so full of love, it could be felt by anyone who knew them.
Starting a day home would begin Maggie’s journey in working with children. In 1991 she would move on to be an integral part of Kiddly Winks Nursery School, and in 1995, Maggie embarked her 23-year long career, doing what she so passionately loved most, as a Special Needs Education Assistant at Father Leonard Van Tighem School. During this time, she would work to achieve her certification for the Special Needs Education Assistant program through LCC. Maggie was known to have special connections with each of the children she was blessed to work with, and each one held a special place in her heart.
Maggie was a remarkable wife and mother, and friend. Maggie’s life was nothing short of a loving and vibrant one. A sentiment shared by anyone who was gifted to have known her.
Maggie is survived by her husband Gerry, her 4 beautiful daughters; Angie, Ally (Nate), Lindsey, and Meagan (Lyndsy) and one cherished grandson; Kian. She is also survived by her parents Pat and Mary McGuigan, 3 brothers; Hugh (Anna), Liam (Francine), and Kevin (Nadine), and 3 sisters; Cathy (Dave), Marie, and Eileen (Chris). Also surviving Maggie are her father and mother-in law Ezio & Sophie Gardin, brothers-in-law Ezio Jr. (Sue), and John (Donna) and sister-in-law Sherry, as well as numerous nieces, nephews.
In eternal peace, Maggie will join her oldest brother Patrick, and brother-in-law Pete.
We owe insurmountable gratitude to Dr. Henning, Dr. Shukkoor, Dr. D. Orr, the staff of 3B, Celeste and the amazing team in Palliative, and many more who were a part of this journey.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, June 29, 2018 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta, with Deacon Frank Peta, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation,c/o In Memoriam Program, 300 17 Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta T2T 5S8 or St Michaels Palliative Care c/o Covenant Foundation, 1400 9 Ave South, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4V5.