The University of Winnipeg community mourns the loss of Margaret McPherson on March 19, 2023 at the age of 96.
Margaret joined UWinnipeg’s Board of Regents in 1985 and served as Chair of the Board from 1992 to 1994. During her decade of service on the Board, she became a highly respected leader known for providing wise advice and guidance. In honour of her unwavering dedication to service, Margaret was awarded the first Fellowship in The University of Winnipeg in October 2000. A loyal annual donor since 1991, Margaret gave to wide range of scholarships and bursaries at UWinnipeg.
As well as serving at UWinnipeg, Margaret was an active volunteer with a variety of other organizations, including the United Church of Canada National Council. She completed a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba and was an accomplished educator, having taught and tutored for 52 years.
Margaret also undertook significant writing and editorial work, co-editing Prairie Spirit: Perspectives on the Heritage of the United Church of Canada in the West and co-authoring All Things Are Possible: A History of Westworth United Church, 1950-1990. She served as the Assistant Archivist in the United Church Archives at UWinnipeg and was on the Editorial Board of the journal Touchstone.
Memories of Margaret through the decades – whether of her cheering on the Wesmen when her daughter played basketball in the 70s, or volunteering countless hours to University committees and events in the 80s and 90s – fill our campus. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by many in our community.
In honour of Margaret McPherson, UWinnipeg will fly its campus flags at half-mast on June 9, 2023. On that day, a celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Westworth United Church.
