Marguerite Elizabeth Drysdale passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025 at Points West Hospice in Grande Prairie, AB at the remarkable age of 102 years and 8 days.

Marguerite was born in Edmonton, AB on October 29, 1923 to Sidney and Anna Drysdale. In the fall of 1928, she moved along with her parents and three brothers, Allan (1920), Gordon (1921) and Norman (1927) to a farm northeast of Clairmont, AB. Joined later by two more siblings, Fred (1930) and Marion (1933). Growing up on the farm, like most farm kids, she had chores which included housework but she much preferred helping outside. She was proud of her rural heritage.

Marguerite headed off to Edmonton where she completed her nursing training at the Royal Alexander Hospital in 1945. She travelled down the road to Ponoka, AB where she took graduate studies in psychiatric nursing. From here her adventures began spanning from Yellowknife to Providence, Rhode Island to White Plains, New York to Salem, Oregon. She then took military training for the US Air Force Nurse Corps in Montgomery, Alabama and was assigned to the Dayton, Ohio base. Within a year she had completed flight nurse school and was assigned to the Rhein Main Air Force Base in Germany which led to many more adventures. She enjoyed touring Europe, the UK, and Scandinavia. After two years in Germany, she was off to Spain for one year before being transferred back to Wichita Falls, Texas. While in Texas, she switched her clinical specialty to medical nursing and moved to Portland, Oregon. In 1966 she volunteered for duty in Japan at a base near Tokyo. She enjoyed touring Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Does the song “I’ve Been Everywhere” come to mind?

In June 1976, after completing 20 years of active duty and reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, it was time to retire and return “temporarily” to the Clairmont area to help look after her parents. Temporary turned to permanent when she purchased an acreage north of Grande Prairie from her brother Fred, but the love of the Oregon Coast remained in her heart, and she returned there often throughout the years for a visit.

Marguerite received her green thumb from her parents and grew a large annual garden. She also grew flowers, namely red and white geraniums, her favorites being Martha Washingtons.

Marguerite was quite skilled and creative when it came to refinishing furniture, woodworking, paper tole, and writing. She sometimes went to great lengths to create and pull a prank, often up for a shenanigan.

She was always a sports enthusiast, whether it was playing or watching—golf, curling, baseball, or football. Her competitive nature shone through in her many years of playing bridge, which saw her attend multiple tournaments locally and throughout the province.

Over the years she supported many local and international charities. Volunteering for the 1995 Canada Winter Games held in Grande Prairie was a highlight and she could still be seen sporting the volunteer jacket this past winter.

She was a faithful member of Clairmont United Church and enjoyed the weekly fellowship and luncheon following the services.

Although she never married or had children, she became the matriarch of the Drysdale clan in her retirement. She was always keeping apprised of the family’s life events and ensuring family gatherings took place on a regular basis.

Marguerite was fiercely independent and lived on her acreage until she turned 100 years of age in 2023. The last few years on the acreage, she managed well with support from her longtime neighbours, the Dawsons and the Lemays, as well as her church family and her many nieces and nephews. When it was time to give city living a try, she moved into Pioneer Lodge to be close to her sister Marion and best friend since the age of 6, Barbara Hofmeister.

Marguerite is lovingly remembered by her sister, Marion Leggatt, and her sisters-in-law, Meryl Drysdale and Mary Drysdale, many nieces and nephews, and 3 generations of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Marguerite was predeceased by her parents, Sidney and Anna, brothers John Ross, Allan, Gordon, Norman, and Fred, brother-in-law Buster Leggatt, sisters-in-law Alice Drysdale, Jean Drysdale, Betty Johannsen, Ethel Drysdale, and Jean Conrad, nephews Bruce Drysdale and John Drysdale, great-nephew Troy Drysdale, and her beloved Yorkshire Terriers, Toby, Tiger, and Jellybean.

The family would like to thank the following:

-Dr. Bartie for his many years of care as her family doctor

-The staff at Pioneer Lodge and Emerald Gardens

-Allison and staff of Senior Helpers in Grande Prairie, who provided exceptional 24-hour care for Marguerite as her health declined this fall

-The GPR Hospital Emergency Dept., Units 21 and 22, and Transition Care Unit

-The Points West Living Hospice and Dr. Barreth for the excellent care and compassion

Celebration of a “Life Well Lived” for the late Marguerite Elizabeth Drysdale will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at the Clairmont United Church (9915 – 100 Avenue, Clairmont, AB T8X 5A8). Fellowship and lunch will follow.

A livestream link will be available 5 minutes prior to the service.

Inurnment will take place at the Grande Prairie Cemetery (84 Ave and 112 St).

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Bandaged Paws (12220-104 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 8A8 / https://bandagedpaws.org/donate) and/or the Canadian Red Cross (#101-10136 128 Avenue, Grande Prairie, AB T8V 1E9 / https://www.redcross.ca/).