Peacefully at Extendicare Maple View, on Saturday, November 27, 2021 one month shy of her 103rd birthday. Beloved wife of the late George Harbour. Cherished Mum of Jane Harbour and her husband, Pat Bitonti and Richard and Glynis Harbour. Much loved grandmother of Christopher Bitonti (Angela Lee), Sarita Harbour (Dan Hosfeld), and Fiona Harbour. Great grandmother of Ivy Bitonti, Russell Culver, Blake Culver, Ava Hosfeld and Rory Hosfeld.
Margaret was born on December 28, 1918 in Peebles, Scotland.She was the beloved daughter of John McIsaac and Margaret Martin and youngest sibling of John, Martin and Annie (Kye) McIsaac. She never forgot her Scottish roots and told wonderful stories of her family life, her school days, and hiking and youth hostelling in the hills of Scotland and the Lake District in England. She was very active in the Girl Guides and was honoured to be chosen to represent Peebleshire at the coronation of George VI in London in 1937. After completing teacher training in Edinburgh, she had a long career as a primary teacher in Scotland and England, and after emigrating from Britain to Canada in 1954, in Toronto, at Central School in Windsor and at Riverview School in Sault Ste Marie. In addition to teaching at a residential school on the outskirts of London during WW2, she acted as a Fire Watcher looking out for fires on the rooftops during the air raids. Following her retirement, she headed off with George for the adventure of a lifetime, spending two years living aboard their sailboat, Peregrine, and sailing the waters off the east coast of the USA, the Gulf of Mexico and Florida and the Bahamas. Upon returning to land, they built a home in Richards Landing, ON and spent many happy years there sailing, cooking, reading,
gardening and enjoying the peace of the island.
The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff of Goulais Bay floor at Extendicare Maple View for the kind and compassionate care you gave to our Mum over the years. Your smiling and welcoming faces were always appreciated. Susie Sunshine, you brightened her mornings for years. Nancy and all the activities staff, thank you for all the fun times and laughs and keeping us connected when we could not visit. And Kari, you were always there for us and we are grateful. Margaret always said that she had lived so long because of a contented mind and chocolate. And she always had room for chocolate!
At Margaret’s request there will not be a funeral service. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Arthur Funeral Home – Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street E. 705-759-2522). To honour Margaret’s love of teaching and reading, memorial contributions to First Book Canada (firstbookcanada.org) or to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the Harbour family.