Margaret M Russell
September 21, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret M. Russell (née Dinsdale). Predeceased by W. Gordon Russell, she was our guiding light. Wife, sister, mother, Nana and Great Nana, she will be missed by Christianne (Art), Elizabeth (Dave) and Andrew (Sharon). She will also be missed by her granddaughters, Julianne (Tim), Erika, Meghan (Justin),and Michelle, along with her two great-grandchildren Carson and Elliot. She also leaves behind siblings Jack, Ron and Eileen.
She immigrated to Canada in 1959 with her beloved husband, Gordon, and landed on the docks of Montreal with ten tea chests.
Marg was a lifelong caregiver. She started her nursing career in Liverpool, UK. It was a calling that took her from the wards (where a frustrated Matron would utter, “Nurse Dinsdale!”) to the operating rooms where ‘Maggie’ ruled the roost. She finished her career at St. Joseph’s as the Charge Nurse for the Chief of Surgery.
Mum had a great sense of the ridiculous and a fabulous sense of humour. Her kindness was ever present, and her support of others was immeasurable. She laughed often and openly. We’ve lost count of the number of times we were doubled over, tears coursing, pee imminent… These are some of our most priceless memories.
Traveling with Mum was a treat. She was open to just about anything. From our family camping trips to New Jersey, her travels through Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America, and to her last trip to the Dominican, she was adventurous.
Mum was the Queen of having a plan… there HAD to be a plan for each day, even if the plan was hanging around the pool with a book in hand.
We will always cherish the memories of Mum in her moo moo puttering around the cottage, planning outings with her grandchildren, tending to her garden, and cooking her infamous breakfast sandwiches for the family.
Unfortunately, near the end, she didn’t remember many of our adventures, but we had her belly laughing as we reminded her about the countless memories shared together.
We will treasure every moment spent with this cheeky Lady. She will be forever missed, as no one could possibly fill her Croc sandals (with a wedge heel, if you please!).
Her ashes will be spread, alongside Gordon’s, in a few places they both enjoyed together. Trees will be planted in their honour. You were loved and will be missed immensely.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Verspeeten Family Cancer Clinic would be appreciated.
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A donation has been made to Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre.
Marg and I had many afternoon “teas” at my house, and shared a lot of memories of our time in the U.K. RIP Marg, I think of you often when I walk past your old home. Marianne Jackson
Marg will be missed by many, including all her neighbours in Arva, who had the pleasure of not only knowing her as a neighbour but as a friend.
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I had the great pleasure of being Marg's (and Gord's) next door neighbor since 2009, they were both delightful and surprisingly different individuals and I loved them both! Marg made me feel as at home in her house as I did in my own, she was always my first stop for a bottle of wine, a cup of sugar or a cup of tea. She was my first contact in times of distress or concern (think bitching and whining) and I always felt better after talking with Marg, her humor and delivery put things in perspective. Typical Marg, one day I am pulling into our complex on an October day in 2019, grey, cold, crappy and I spy Marg walking towards me, so I slow down, roll open the window and say, hey Marg, I saw a great deal for a one week all inclusive in Cuba, want to go? Marg pops her head into the car window and says YES! We were booked 3 hours later. Did we have a great time, amazing!! I do hope she told her family about the curling iron incident. I will miss Marg always.
~ Anne Jeffrey