Mrs. Margaret Sundell, aged 75 years, a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, passed away at home after a brave battle with cancer on April 13th, 2010.
Margaret started her working career at Greta’s hair salon and attained a certificate in hairdressing. After having her children she became a cashier at Zeller’s and then head cashier at Dominion Food store at County Fair Plaza. She later went to work for Port Arthur General Hospital as a Ward Clerk and retired from there in 1979. Retirement did not last long as she then went to work part time in the Port Arthur Curling rink tuck shop. She enjoyed meeting the public and was always immaculately dressed. She enjoyed making ceramics and obtained a real passion for creating porcelain dolls. As many people know she used her sewing, knitting, crocheting skills to dress them and display them. Her predeceased husband Brian, was often put to work displaying and helping to collect the chairs, stands, shelving and doll sized artifacts to pose them for everyone to enjoy. She met Brian while attending PACI high school and they became lifelong partners in August of 1954. They both enjoyed raising roses and other flowers and shrubs around their family home on Current Ave. Everyone who drove by could tell that pink was Margaret’s favourite colour since it was adorned on the front of the house and both garage doors.
When Margaret wasn’t busy with porcelain dolls she could be found reading a book, crocheting and watching her Toronto Maple Leafs or Toronto Blue Jays. She was a devoted “Supermom” for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Margaret and Brian travelled often to see and be with family over the years even moving to Nanaimo, B.C. for few years. But Thunder Bay remained home and they returned again to Current River and added on to her daughter’s home in Current River. This proved to be Dad’s plan to care for Mom after he passed as she was looked after until her passing by her loving daughter Cindy.
Margaret will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by her brothers; Don and Marna Blandchard of London, Ont, and Bob and Marion Blanchard of Vernon, B.C., Doreen Blanchard of Calgary, Alberta; her Brother in laws, Gilbert Jones of Thunder Bay, John Cottenden of Ontario, Jim Richardson of B.C.; her four children; Ken and Sirkka Sundell of Thunder Bay, Cindy and Terry Toneguzzi of Thunder Bay, Robert and Sheila Sundell of Richmond B.C., and Ralph and Tracey Sundell of Meadow Lake, Sask; Twelve grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and other relatives.
Margaret was predeceased by her mother and father George and Winifred Blanchard, brothers Harold and his wife Evelyn, Bill Blanchard, Wray Blanchard, sisters Gladys Blanchard, Dorothy Richardson, Betty Everett , Barbara Jones and Mary Cottenden.
Graveside Services for the late Margaret Sundell will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 19th, 2010 in Riverside Cemetery, officiated by Archdeacon Mark Conliffe. A reception will be held after the burial at 359 Grenville Avenue. Donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay in lieu of flowers if you wish.
On-Line Condolences may be offered at www.harbourviewfuneral.ca
