Friday, May 8, 2020
Dear Edward and your family,
My deepest condolences to all of you.
Margaret was an example of courage and kindness for me. During her many years in Quebec, she brought us immense joy from her greatness of soul, her humanism, her qualities for research and her meticulous work. She was a valiant woman who loved to help everyone. She was also an intelligent person who loved being humorous and making people laugh. I can still hear her voice… A very generous woman: when we gave her a gift, she would give us three. I have many beautiful precious memories and keepsakes that I keep on my bookcases.
Since her departure from Quebec for her hometown of Toronto, following the death of her parents, we continued writing and calling each other. Margaret never forgot my birthday. She would also sign letters “Your great friend Margaret”. I have evidently kept all of her letters. Her last Christmas card from December 2019 hadn’t mentioned a greater illness than usual. When I tried calling her in early March her phone line said that there was no longer an answer to this number. This lead me to believe she was with her brother and sister-in-law, both of whom she cherished so much. They had given her, in addition to their love for her, a little dog named Lili “so intelligent that she did not speak and that was just” which had accompanied her for years. She often spoke of her brother’s family with pride. His family with whom she spent many days during the holidays, especially Christmas. When I reached out to her brother, he shared her illness with my daughter and I. I was waiting for Margaret’s phone call today, but I have just heard the sad news of her departure. I take comfort in thinking that she went to join the one she loved so much, the one she missed so deeply, her dear Luc Lacourcière, who died May 1989.
Thank you Margaret for everything you have done for me and everyone. Margaret, have a safe trip to heaven.
Your great friend Jeanne Pomerleau who will never forget you
