Margaret Haines passed away peacefully December 7, 2011 on Salt Spring Island at the age of 86. She was born March 23, 1925 in London England and spent her childhood at Hamsey House in Lewes Sussex. In 1942 she joined the Woman’s Royal Navel Service until 1945 when she married Alfred Haines. In 1957 they decided to emigrate to Canada with their 3 children and ended up in Kelowna. Margaret has always believed in lifelong learning. While raising her family she took many courses to complete her education and became a registered social worker. She gave much of her spare time to the Girl Guides. From 1969 to 1971 she became a travelling trainer for the Girl Guide movement in Jamaica. In 1974 she was the coordinator and counsellor for the Victoria Silver Threads Service and in 1977 she became the Director of the Victoria Volunteer Bureau. She was the head of the Greater Victoria UNICEF committee in 1983. In 1987 she moved to her beloved Salt Spring Island. On the island she continued to give back to her community by working with many organizations including Hospice and Meadowbrook. Margaret always had a love of travelling and experiencing different cultures. Christianity and the exploration of the spirit were central themes in her life. She accepted people for who they were. Margaret will be deeply missed by her family: her children Vivien (Ralph), Diana (Ivan) and Michael (Rachelle), 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren as well as her brothers in England Andrew, John (Rosie) and Tim (Jean) and her many friends.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at All Saints-by-the-sea Anglican Church: 110 Park Drive @ Lower Ganges Rd. Salt Spring Island on Friday December 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Margaret’s name to the Salt Spring Hospice/Bessie Dane Foundation at www.saltspringhospice.org or phone 250-537-2770.