We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our Mom and best friend, Margaret Katherine Clem on Sunday, October 20, 2019 . Mom was predeceased by Dad (Donald), sisters Barbara, Marie, brothers Donald and Peter. She is survived by her loving family, Deborah, David and very special daughter in law Val and family, sister, Jeanne and brother, Alex (Dorothy), also many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Mom was born in Orkney, Alberta on November 4, 1927 and loved the years growing up on “The Farm”. In later years, she moved to Calgary and was employed at the Veterans Hospital for 9 years. It was there she met Dad. They were married in 1954 and moved to Chilliwack while Dad continued to serve in the Army until his discharge in 1956. Now they were a family of four and soon relocated to Kamloops where Mom and Dad remained until their final days.
Mom was a homemaker, always working hard around the house, cooking, canning, baking, sewing, etc. After many years, she took on a part time job at Sears. She loved her job and when it was her day to work, she couldn’t get there fast enough. Thirty years flew by and then she retired.
Mom was an amazing and strong woman who loved her family and friends, her home, vegetable and flower gardens and her four-legged pal Missy. She was an avid sports person to say the least. Fastball and first base were her game and she played competitively for 39 years at the highest level in the city, then hung up her glove at the age of 59. This did not last long, as soon after, she began playing slo-pitch. There was also tennis, downhill and cross-country skiing, golf and curling. She loved them all, if she didn’t play it, she watched it.
Our family was so proud of her when she was inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 but her proudest achievement was when she ran and carried the torch for the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics. Mom was a long-time member of the Kamloops Golf and Country Club as well as the McArthur Island Curling Club, playing the sport until the end of the 2018/2019 season. She volunteered many hours in the community for minor sports, Track and Field Club and numerous bonspiels. She was always willing and able to lend a hand to various charities whenever or wherever she was needed. Many times, she would show up at the front door of a friend with homemade baking, a pot of soup or vegetables from her garden.
Our family would like to thank everyone who supported us over the last five months. Thank you to Dr. Chahal for her care and kindness and a very special thank you to long time pals of Mom’s, Toni Gannon and Marie Wishneski. Come celebrate Mom with us to honour her life at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 16, 2019 in the Desert Gardens Seniors Community Center, 540 Seymour St., Kamloops.
Donations in Mom’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society or the Kamloops SPCA.
10 Tributes
I will remember good times spent on the golf course with Margaret. May your happy memories with your Mom, from years past, bring you peace and comfort at this difficult time. xoxo
Will never forget her smiling face!!!! Such a wonderful kind lady! Your so missed!
My thoughts and prayers are with you And your family Debby. Your mom was a wonderful lady.
I am sorry to hear of your lose Debby. I will always remember your Mom for her softball playing and how she played knees wrapped and all.
I will be forever linked with her as we both carried the Olympic torch for the Calgary Olympics. The Kamloops News did an article on us that I saved to my scrap book.
Your school pal Jim.
Our deepest sympathy to you all, she was always so sweet to me, I have many fond memories of her.
My deepest sympathy Debbie to you and your family. Thinking of you and sending hugs your way.
Our sincere sympathy to you all. Your mom was a great lady & we have very fond memories of the fun we had together.
Unfortunately, we will be unable to attend the Celebration of Life for her as we are down south but we will be thinking of all of you and remembering your Mom with fondness.
I am so sorry for your loss Dave. Your Mom left such an impression on me so many years ago that I still think of her often. May your memories and laughter of times gone by help you and your family through this painful time. Sending love
our Deepest sympathy Debby and David, I always loved seeing your mom and seeing that Great Smile of hers.
Lots of Good memories playing softball with her and after. We will miss her. BIG HUG
Debbie and family, I am sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was a wonderful lady. We had a lot of great times playing fastball together in Kamloops. May your memories keep her close in your heart today and always. She will truly be missed. Lynne