Margaret M. McIsaac

Margaret Marie (Dyer) McIsaac passed away peacefully Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at her home in East Florenceville with her family by her side. Born April 1, 1930 on Back Street in Bath, NB, she was the daughter of the late Bert and Margaret (Shaw, Brooks) Dyer. She was also predeceased by all her siblings -- half-brothers Claude, Gerald, and Harold Brooks, sister Lona (Dyer) Hansen, infant twin brother and sister Arthur and Agnes, brothers George, Albert and Wayman Dyer; granddaughter Karen Hunter.

Margaret is survived by her husband of over 69 years, Robert M. “Bob” McIsaac; 7 children – Allan (Judi) McIsaac of Fredericton, NB, Darlene (Kendall) Hunter of Riverbank, NB, Laura (Malcolm) Beckett of Oak Point, NB, Ruth (Russell) Dockendorff of Stanhope, PEI, Dean (Terri) McIsaac of Brookfield, Massachusetts, Murray (Judy) McIsaac of Florenceville, NB, Polly McIsaac of Florenceville, NB; 14 grandchildren – Andy McIsaac, Jodi Martens, Mark (Karen) Hunter, Kristy (Andrew) Laidlaw, Ben (Joanna) Beckett, Sarah (Trevor) Cook, Cindy Dockendorff, Jacob (Brynn) Dockendorff, Adam (Lisa) McIsaac, Scott (Heather) McIsaac, Heather McIsaac, Patti (Adam) Jurczak, Jimmy (Sarah) McIsaac, Bobby McIsaac; 15 great-grandchildren.

Margaret graduated from Bristol High School in 1946, and completed her secretarial diploma at Carleton County Vocational School in 1947. While working at the Bank of Nova Scotia and boarding on Maple Street in Florenceville, she met her life partner, Robert M. McIsaac. Six months later, they were married on October 14, 1948. After their first child was born, she became a full-time homemaker, worked in the office for Uncle Benny and Don’s poultry businesss, then kept the books for the family farm, then for the pulpwood business, and in later years worked as a clerk at Buckingham’s Department Store to earn a little extra money, and just for fun.

Mum-Grammy lived a full life of faith, family, friends, fun, and hard work. She was an optimist, and had a healthy dose of spunk. She loved to get things done, and no task was shunned. In fact, if you happened to be nearby, you were recruited with little or no room for decline. We often said she could keep an army busy, except on Sunday! She also lent a helping hand as part of her life routine; it was a given. Amidst her busy-ness, she arranged times of entertainment. Her grandchildren certainly remember Grammy as fun to be around.

Music was one of her passions, and it flowed out of her. The piano and her voice were her main instruments. She played for thousands of Sunday church services, hundreds of funerals, accompanied numerous singers, and played many hours just for the joy of it. While she couldn’t read a note, just hum a couple of lines of a tune she had never heard, and away she’d go. She taught all her children how to harmonize. 2, 3, and 4-part harmonies were common, encouraged, and expected as the kids were growing up. Bob and Margaret were a common duet, and she sang in many duets, trios, quartets, and choirs. Her DNA and nurture live on in her descendants.

She was an avid reader and writer, and no slouch at arithmetic. Up until her last weeks, she wrote letters, cards, and notes to people of all ages and walks of life. If you spent time around Margaret, she probably fed you, and you definitely heard about the love of Jesus for everyone. She has been described by many as beautiful, inside and out.

The family appreciates her caregivers – Janice Turnbull (home care), Dr. Bruce Lockhart (her “young doctor” for decades and close to a medical god in Mum’s eyes), Dr. Colin Lockhart, and extramural care.

Visitation will be held at True North Baptist Church, 167 Burnham Road, Florenceville-Bristol, NB on Friday, December 8, 2017 from 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm. A memorial service of celebration will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 11:00 am at True North Baptist Church. Rev. Michael Palmer will officiate, with the assistance of Rev. Dustin Day and Rev. Charles Thompson. The interment will be in the Lower East Florenceville Baptist Cemetery immediately following the service. Donations are appreciated, and may be made to True North Baptist Church, TNBC Cemetery Fund, or The Gideons. The family appreciates the professional and personal services of L.R. Giberson Funeral Directors as they are entrusted with the arrangements.
www.gibersonfuneraldirectors.ca (506) 392-1115