Obituary of Margaret Lorna Cowherd

It is with both sadness and joy that we announce the heavenly homegoing of Margaret Lorna Cowherd (nee Schroeder). Margaret was born in Jansen, Saskatchewan to parents, Theodore (Ted) and Olga Schroeder on November 1, 1933. In her 90th year, with family at her side, Margaret passed into the presence of Jesus on Saturday August 19, 2023, in Cambridge, Ontario.

Margaret is survived by her three children, sons Dr. Geron Cowherd (Shelley), Dr. Conrad Cowherd (Henny) and daughter, Corinne Storms (Rebel), as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Margaret is also survived by her eldest brother, Marvin Schroeder, sister Joyce Henderson (Don), and ‘baby’ brother Dr. Edward Schroeder (Hazel). Predeceased by her brother Cyril Schroeder, sister Elizabeth Frechette, sister-in-law Emma Schroeder, husband Dr. John Cowherd and Dr. David Schroeder (nephew).

As a child, Margaret and her family travelled across Canada and relocated to Vineland, Ontario, finally settling in St. Catharines. With Lake Ontario as her backyard, this oldest daughter of six grew up on the Michigan Avenue ‘hill’ in Port Dalhousie. While a student at St. Catharines Collegiate, Margaret excelled in business courses which lead her to an administrative career firstly at Nu Bone Corset Company of Canada, then Pleasantview Memorial Gardens, and later as she assisted her husband and sons as they established their chiropractic practices. Margaret created a loving and inviting home environment for all, and her family were the main benefactors of such a wonderful ‘domestic engineer’ they called “Mom”. Their home was always filled with the wonderful aromas of freshly made butter tarts, pumpkin muffins, cookies, and a myriad of incredible homemade meals. As her children and grandchildren went off to school, got married, and moved away, Margaret’s kindness continued even across the miles. Many care packages and porch-drops are reminders today of the precious love she showed to those she cared about … a more precious gift none could find.

A mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and faithful follower of Jesus, Margaret loved and prayed for all whom God entrusted into her care. She was a regular attender at Central Gospel Temple in St. Catharines, her home church for almost 40 years. In 2021, Margaret downsized and moved to Cambridge where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law. Her days were structured around watching her favourite inspirational television program or listening to a radio teacher. Evening entertainment started with watching Jeopardy and then often catching a Toronto Maple Leafs or Blue Jays game on TV.

Regardless of the challenges of life that she endured, Margaret held fast to her faith in God, a faith that anchored her when life seemed uncertain. She loved God deeply, and lived in His promise that He would never leave her nor forsake her. He faithfully provided for her all her days.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the incredible staff of Lisaard Hospice Care facility in Cambridge who treated Mom with such dignity and tender care in her last week of life.

A visitation will be held on Sunday September 10, 2023, at Tallman Funeral Home in Vineland, Ontario from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service at 4:00 p.m. A cremation has already taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lisaard House or The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.