Obituary of Margaret Isobella Normand

Margaret Isobella Normand (nee Hunter) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on August 10th 2021 in her 99th year.  She will be profoundly missed by her daughters Jean (Gary Kotwa) and Jennifer (Fergus Wilmer), grandchildren Krista (Jenn LeRoux) & Taylor Kotwa, and Morgan & Cameron Wilmer.  She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Alastair.

Maggie Hunter attended Havergal College, then the University of Toronto Medical School where she graduated 1948, one of just a handful of women at the time.  Pursuing a specialty in paediatrics, she interned in London, New York City and Vancouver before finally settling in Toronto.  Not long after, a handsome Scot asked her to come sailing and so began their lifelong voyage together. Maggie married Alastair Normand in 1958.

Dr Margaret Hunter’s career took her to the Toronto Children’s Aid Society where she cared for 3 generations of children and forged great friendships with her wonderful co-workers. After retiring as Medical Director in 1986, she and Alastair promptly cast off, sailing their cherished ”Scotch Mist” to the Bahamas for a year. Long time members of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club and the Cruising Sailors Squadron, they joined a fun community of like minded friends exploring Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay by boat each summer.   

Maggie was a nurturer of family, friends and her garden.  She loved to entertain, was a fabulous cook, and “hostess with the mostess”. Always creative, mom was a great knitter and a whizz with a sewing machine. In retirement she turned her deft hand to watercolour painting with incredible results.  

Maggie taught us to be kind, generous, creative, she called peanut butter emotional polyfila and knew the joys of gin and tonic. She will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. We would like to thank Dr. Melnitzer, nurse Jennifer, and the entire team at the Temmy Latner Palliative Care unit for their amazing care and support. Huge thanks also to Mary Catherin (MC), Ann and Josette for their amazing care and tireless dedication to Mom in the last months of her life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of the following or to a charity of your choice: The Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides, St. Andrew’s Society of Toronto. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

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