Margaret Luella (Leschinski) Irvine

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Margaret Irvine on December 31, 2024 at the Long-Term Care facility at the Biggar and District Health Centre.

Margaret lived her entire life in the Biggar area.  She was born on January 24, 1936 to John and Mary (Fick) Leschinski of the Vance area.  She was the first of nine children and grew up knowing hard work and how to appreciate what you had, as little as that may be.  At the age of 17, she moved into Biggar in order to work and help her mother afford things needed for her younger siblings.  It was during her employment at Bill’s Diner where she met a scrawny, but good-looking 21 year old Lorne Irvine.  She married her one and only love on February 20, 1957.  After a few years they changed their lives and moved to Lorne’s parents’ farm.  Not only was she a very busy farm wife and mother, but she was also the official unpaid hired hand until the boys were old enough to help.  There were always chickens, turkeys, cattle and occasionally ducks, geese and pigs.  For a number of years, twice a day, she milked upwards of 13 cows by hand.  Every spring there was the large garden and the ‘never ending’ potato patch.  She and Lorne were partners through thick and thin, hardships and trauma, to the end.

The end of this partnership came much too early, when Lorne passed on February 17, 1996.  This was a devastating event in her unusually difficult life.  She did as she always did when faced with adversity, she found the strength to carry on.

Margaret remained on the farm until age and health concerns “forced” her into town.  After a few moves, she became a resident at the Lodge on April 15, 2024.

Mom was lucky enough to have had caregivers from Home Care (the “pillpushers”), Sunshine, and the Lodge who not only cared for her physically but also brightened her day with their teasing and bantering.  One thing they all learned about Margaret is that you didn’t have to ask her for her opinion, she’d give it to you whether you wanted it or not.  She was unapologetically herself.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents, John and Mary; husband, Lorne; stillborn baby; toddler son, Jackie (victim of hit and run); and many family members. 

She is survived by son Fred (Cheryl), their children Tanis (Reid) Munro, (Adria and Gideon); Jack (Anna); Paige (Lane), (Lorne and Rikki); son Bob (Lisa), their children Tegan (Jordan) Giesbrecht, Brett (Sydney); daughter Marilyn (Ron) Whiteford, their children Dalton, Jarrett, Preston, Cole; friends and family.

Mom’s death is a bittersweet circumstance; we will miss that crusty, uncensored little woman, but she believed she will be reunited with Lorne (and he better be there to meet her if he knows what’s good for him): Love you.