Margaret Blanchard

June 28, 1930 ~ June 25, 2024

It is with sweet sorrow that we announce the passing of Margaret June Blanchard (nee Rapson) on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. She passed away with her family by her side at her residence at the River Ridge Seniors Village in Medicine Hat, just three days shy of her 94th birthday. Margaret was the much loved mother of daughters, Diane Blanchard, Susan (Jim) Cooper and Laurie (Tom) Hermann. Margie was the dearly loved grandmother of her nine grand-children and their families: Jeremy Spies; Nell Spies (Anthony Morden) and their children, Lola and Ella; Miriam Spies; Jill (Todd) Regehr and their children, Avery and Owen; Lisa (Michael) MacLeod and their children, Bennett and Juna; Kevin (Janae) Cooper and their children, Mark, Miles and Jade; Lindsey (Rob) Flury and their daughter, Violet; Krista (Franz) Zemp and their children, Oliver and Josie; and Brennan (Pamela) Hermann and their daughters, Milla and Alice. She will be also fondly remembered by her sister-in-law, Beverly Rapson and many nieces and nephews. Margaret was pre-deceased by Gordon, her husband of nearly 70 years; infant daughter, June; sister, Mary Nell Berger; brother, Philip Rapson and brother-in-law, Ken Berger. Margaret grew up on a farm in Winnifred, the second of three children born to Philip and Ruby Nellie (Atwood) Rapson. After graduating high school in Bow Island she attended the University of Calgary to become a teacher, like her mother before her. Over the years she taught at several schools throughout the County of Forty Mile. In 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Gordon, and they were blessed with four daughters. They moved from Conquerville to Calgary to Medicine Hat before settling on the farm at Whitla where they farmed for many years. In retirement, they lived in Bow Island before finally moving to Medicine Hat. Margaret was an active member of the Whitla community, the UCW and the Women of Unifarm where she took leadership locally and provincially. She served on the board for Mental Health in Medicine Hat and provincially for some years. Margaret was the first woman elder at St. Andrew’s United Church, Bow Island, serving with intelligence and passion and leading Sunday School at St. Andrew’s for several years with great creativity. She read voraciously and enjoyed the world of ideas. A Celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at St. Andrew’s United Church, 139 – 2 Avenue West, Bow Island on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Robert Wallace officiating. Because Margaret enjoyed colour, we invite you to wear bright colours. Interment wil follow at the Bow Island Cemetery. You are further invited to share a piece of birthday cake at a time of fellowship at the Golden Age Club, 206 – 5 Avenue East, Bow Island following the service. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting our website at www.cooksouthland.com) Honoured to serve the family is Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4V4. Telephone 403-527-6455

• Date : 2024-06-25
• Location : Medicine Hat, Alberta

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