Obituary of Margaret Taylor
Margaret Kathleen Devaney was born in Sardis, BC on May 1, 1920, she was the daughter of the late "Jack" John Henry and Mary Ethel "Nellie" (Hayes) Devaney and was the wife of the late Alfred Taylor who passed away in 1967.
Margaret was baptized in 1943 as one of Jehovah's Witness's enjoying going from house to house to tell people about Jehovah and the wonderful Kingdom arrangement in place. Some of her fondest memories were growing up on Texada Island, B.C., telling of the many adventures with her brothers and sisters (especially her eldest brother, Jim) on the Island. Fishing, hiking and rowing across to Lasqueti Island for mail and groceries.
Margaret was a talented seamstress making clothes and quilts for family and friends on her treadle sewing machine (at times the "only" clothes they had). She loved gardening and writing. Animals were a constant in her life from her variety of dogs to a goat or two, chickens and budgies. In later years, Margaret depended on canes to get around and "knew how to use them".
Margaret's love for children came out in various ways: from reading with them to teaching how to care for animals or cut logs for the wood stove to cooking up a batch of the "best pancakes, bread and scones in the world". A granddaughter relates, "Grannie had a spoon in our hand by the time we could walk to stir the batter". At times she'd have a firm conversation with a young one when she felt they were being disrespectful to a parent. Although they didn't appreciate it at the time, as adults they would comment on the place she occupied in their hearts because they knew she cared.
Some young (and not so young) ones would go to her home weekly to clean for her. While there… Margaret "always" took time to sit down with a cup of tea & ginger snaps or maybe just a glass of juice and tell stories; talk about a new picture of an animal she found; or something she read from the bible. If Margaret sensed something bothering them…. She'd drag it out of you to talk it out.
A re-occurring theme by all who reflected on Margaret: "I will never forgot how her eyes sparkled when she spoke about Jehovah, his son Jesus, and the marvelous Kingdom to bring Paradise to mankind and how much she wanted others to know these things", ending their reflections with, "I will miss my friend, Margaret, until I see her again in Paradise."
She will live on in the hearts of her two daughters: Carolline Kemp and Esther Taylor of BC; her son: Andy Parsons of Edmonton; her grandchildren: Becky, Kamstra, Joe Elliott, David Elliott, Peter Elliott, Sam Rudiashi, Amber and Amanda Taylor; her sisters-in-law: Gladys Devaney and Anne Devaney both of Powell River, BC; as well as several nieces and nephews and her church family.
Margaret was predeceased by her son, Mark, three brothers: Jack, Pat, and Jim and two sisters: Marie and Eileen “Deen”.
