We are deeply saddened by the passing of Margaret Ruth Page on Thursday, March 3, 2011 at her home in Bethammi, St. Joseph’s Heritage.
Margaret was the daughter of John Alexander and Charlotte Maud Drummond (nee Sinclair). She was born in Logan Township, Perth County, Ont., where she received her early education.
Margaret completed her basic nursing education at the Victoria Hospital, London, received a Certificate in Public Health Nursing from the University of Western Ontario, a Diploma of Advanced Public Health Nursing from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lakehead University and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina.
Early in her career Margaret worked as a Public Health Nurse in Cochrane, Ont., and subsequently became the District Nurse for the Ontario Society of Crippled Children District Offices in Kirkland Lake, Cobourg and Fort William.
She was a field worker for the Ontario Department of Public Welfare, Regional Office in Port Arthur, Welfare Administrator for the Municipalities of Shuniah and Neebing. She was a nursing instructor in the Schools of Nursing at the Port Arthur General and McKellar General Hospitals.
Margaret was Supervisor of Public Health Nursing for the Port Arthur and District Health Unit, became Assistant Director of Public Health Nursing for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit and later Regional Nursing Consultant for the Ontario Ministry of Health in Toronto.
She was appointed Assistant Professor at Lakehead University School of Nursing in 1973 and in 1977 was promoted to full professor and Director of the School of Nursing, a post she held until 1980.
Margaret expressed a keen interest in developing countries and through the World University Service of Canada she was invited to the University of Malawi to establish a university school of nursing at the Kamuzu College of Nursing. Margaret returned to Lakehead University for a brief period before accepting a position as Principal Kamuzu College of Nursing, University of Malawi.
Margaret was appointed visiting Professor, McMaster University, School of Nursing and assigned as a Faculty Field Advisor to the McMaster/Aga Khan/C.I.D.A. project in Karachi, Pakistan. She later was appointed Mission Leader and evaluator, McMaster/Aga Khan/C.I.D.A. project in Karachi, Pakistan. Margaret also participated with the evaluation team from Japan in an evaluation of a Japanese Technical Assistance Project, Children’s Hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Margaret was a member of the following professional organizations, serving on various committees and boards: Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and served as President 1964/65; Canadian Nurses Association; College of Nurses of Ontario; Canadian Public Health Association; American Public Health Association; Canadian University Teachers Association; Canadian University Schools of Nursing; Ontario Regional Canadian University Schools of Nursing; National Association of Nurses of Malawi; Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi; Canadian Evaluation Society.
Margaret strongly believed in the importance of contributing to each community in which she lived and as a result she became involved in and volunteered for many community organizations some of which include: Lakehead University, Lakehead University Alumni Association, University of Malawi, Canadian International Development Agency, University of Nairobi, Kenya, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, College of Nurses of Ontario, Victorian Order of Nurses, Mission to Seamen, Ontario Science Centre and many others. Her interest in the arts was expressed through her involvement in the Cambrian Players and the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.
Margaret was an active member of the Naval Reserve and served as a Nursing Sister with the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, HMCS Griffon, Thunder Bay, as well she was appointed Honourary Lieutenant Colonel 18 (Thunder Bay) Medical Company. She was an active member and Dame of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem and Past Commander of the Thunder Bay Commandery.
Margaret was the recipient of many honours and awards including the Order of Canada, the Order of St. Stanislas, Fellow of Lakehead University, Canadian Forces Decoration Medal with bar, Ministry of Culture and Tourism Volunteer Service Award, Ministry of Citizenship and Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, Volunteer Service Award, Officer of the Military and Hospitalier Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, Commemorative Medal 125th Anniversary of Canadian Federation, RNAO Award of Merit and Member Emeritus, Lakehead University School of Nursing Scholarship for Graduate Study, and Lakehead University Professor Emeritus. Lakehead University Student Health Centre was named The Margaret R. Page Health Centre.
Margaret is survived by her Sister-in-law Wilda Drummond of Milverton; nieces Faye Moffatt (Bryan) of Capreol, Valerie Hawkins (David) of Sudbury, nephews John Drummond (Jacinta) of Mitchell, Glen Drummond (Kim) of Dundalk; grand nieces and nephews, Ellen and Lynn Moffatt, Andrew, John, James and Ryan Hawkins, Kollene, Jennifer, Garnet and David Drummond, Blair and Isabel Drummond; and stepson Graeme Page of Vancouver. Margaret was predeceased by her parents John and Charlotte Drummond, brother Arthur Sinclair Drummond, and husband Trevor Wyman Page.
Margaret’s presence was strongly felt, her passions for life admired, her mentorship always appreciated. She will be greatly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ridgeway Street with Rev. Deborah Kraft officiating. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Valhalla Inn at 3:00 p.m. Visitation for friends will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 N. Court Street.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.sargentandson.com.
If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Professor Margaret Page Graduate Award in Nursing, Lakehead University Office of Advancement, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, P7B 5V1 or to a charity of your choice.
