Margaret was the eldest and last surviving child of Mary and Hugh Daw. As a young girl, she was devoted to helping her mother care for her three younger brothers, Hugh, Martin and James. From an early age Margaret displayed a natural and extraordinary gift for caring for others. She never put herself first. Her thoughtfulness and service to others distinguished Margaret’s entire life.
In 1953, Margaret met the love of her life, James Anthony McClure Airlie, as children in Glasgow, Scotland. Their bond and friendship grew, and they married in June 1960. Margaret and Jim began their family with Andrew and Kimberley and settled in Toronto, Canada in the 1960’s. Many of their Scottish family members and friends also emigrated to Canada in the years following and Margaret was always thrilled to enjoy their company and would initiate a gathering at every opportunity possible.
The years from 1970 to the early 2000’s in Toronto and southern Ontario were among the happiest and most adventurous of Margaret’s life. She had a remarkable work ethic and easily changed careers a few times, always following her instincts. She excelled in every endeavour she embraced. In 2008, Margaret, Jim and Kim moved to Vancouver, BC to enjoy more experience with Drew’s growing family with Samantha which now included Natalie and Callum. Margaret embraced and enjoyed her role as Grannie perhaps as much as anything she ever undertook in her life.
Margaret was above all, an extraordinary friend - a friend to so many people from years past, so many family members, neighbours and people she met more recently. Many people have shared their condolences recently and, without fail, every single one of them has remarked on the quality and the depth of Margaret’s friendship. For many years, she was also a prodigious volunteer with many social agencies.
She was without envy in her life. She took great joy in the successes – big and small – of every family member or friend. She was genuinely happy and proud of her in-laws, her nieces and nephews and their children and friends from all corners of her life. She would report all their good news and achievements to me enthusiastically and often. Margaret was quite simply an exceptionally devoted and loving partner, mother, relative and friend.
A Celebration of Margaret’s Life will be announced at a later date.
Please share your memories, a picture, or a short story in memory of Margaret via the condolences discussion below.
Godspeed, Margaret – our flower of Scotland.
With Unending Love from us all.