?Gnucci, Margaret Elizabeth Reilly
It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret announces her peaceful passing at East Kootenay Regional Hospital on Monday, May 15, 2017 at 84 years of age.
Margaret was born in Fernie, BC on January 2, 1933. She spent her early years living in Waldo, BC before her family moved to Cranbrook, where she met her future husband Joe in elementary school. Margaret was a proud member of the Cranbrook Girls Bugle Band throughout her high school years, and graduated with Joe from Mount Baker Secondary School in 1951. Margaret then obtained her teaching certificate at Normal School in Vancouver. Marriage to Joe followed in 1954 and their family grew to include three children.
Margaret taught Grade One in the Cranbrook school system (mainly at Amy Woodland and T.M. Roberts schools) for many years before retiring in 1988. She was well loved by her numerous classes of students.
Margaret enjoyed her books immensely. Reading was a favorite pastime, as well as cross stitch and crossword puzzles. She also looked forward to golfing outings with her daughter at Mission Hills and had season tickets to the Kootenay Ice games for the last few years.
Margaret and Joe enjoyed many years of travelling to various places in the US, Canada and Europe. Their favorite place was Hawaii, especially Kona on the Big Island, where they had many wonderful trips and memories with family and friends.
Margaret will always be remembered as a kind, soft- spoken, gentle woman with a dry sense of humor. She always had time to chat and loved outings for coffee and something sweet.
Margaret is survived by daughter Diane (Dean) Eldred and son Joe (Carmen) Gnucci of Cranbrook and daughter Susan Gnucci of Victoria. She is also survived by grandchildren Shauna (Matt) Carson, Amanda and Tayler Gnucci, all of Cranbook, Leanne (Brett) Olson of Calgary, Brandon (Nadia) Green of Victoria and Ben (Katrina) Green of Kansas City, Missouri.
Margaret adored her three great grandchildren Carter and Cooper Carson and Weston Green. She is also survived by her sister Marian Allen, nephews and nieces Donna (Richard) Ross, Sam Fyles, Rick (Virginia) Allen, Mike (Shelley) Allen, Kathy Leatham and Judy Allen. Margaret was predeceased by her husband Joe in 2009 and her parents Harold and Elizabeth Beattie.
A celebration of Margaret’s life will take place at a later date in the summer, as well as a private interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC or the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC.
Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com
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