Maggie Thors

Tom Ehmann Land ho, bike laugh, Sass exits, scary monster in St Thomas

Tom Ehmann Mag in Valetta 2018, somewhere, braids, Fiji

Tom Ehmann Maggie's outside voice hasn't been heard in two years. Here are some short vids with her voice or laugh.

Chris Gilmour Tom's beautiful tribute to Maggie: Maggie Thors died December 28, at home in Victoria with her closest loved ones. A child of the valleys, rivers and mountains of the West Kootenays, Maggie’s childhood in Robson BC prepared her for the remarkable life she led. Her kindness, intelligence, practicality, love of others and sense of adventure always helped guide her. To each of you she evokes different qualities such as being loyal, genuine, beautiful, forthright, inspirational, a model of how to live fully or just plain fun. Many of these attributes she acquired from her family while others she developed as she matured into a woman of great integrity. Her deep roots are reflected in the fact that her sisters, Margy and Kim, were also best friends with the three sharing so many values, experiences and interests. Stories of growing up in Robson became legends fondly remembered. Maggie’s mother died in 1980 and her inspiring, gentle, multi- talented father in 2010. It was Ed Thors who took the little inquisitive Maggie under his wing in the workshop and garden and instilled in her the confidence and competence to build, fix and grow things. After high school, Maggie headed west and became a creature of the sea. She built catamarans, helped pioneer the new sport of windsurfing and, by the late 1970s, worked on long line salmon boats. Then there was sailing. In the early 1980s, Maggie sailed and worked in the Virgin Islands before moving to Kingston, Ontario to begin a new chapter with the love of her life Tom. More deep and enduring friendships were made during that period of thriving. Upon returning to the West Coast in 1989, Maggie trained as a horticulturalist and embarked on a career that spanned Vancouver and then the Sunshine Coast. For over a decade living in the last single-storey wood frame house in Vancouver’s West End, Maggie and Tom’s home served as a vibrant hub for family and friends, new and old. A new tent she gave Tom in 1990 never got used because a sailboat was purchased and forever after there was “camping without the dirt”. Maggie succeeded in fulfilling a lifelong dream by sailing with Tom to Mexico and then across the Pacific as part of a two-year adventure that took them as far as Fiji. She was rarely happier than bobbing on the ocean outside of the sight of land - self-contained and living simply. Another 25 seasons were spent exploring the coast of BC with friends and dogs Scupper and Sass. Maggie was a master horticulturalist, sharing her knowledge and expertise for eleven years with the Sunshine Coast community after having moved to Langdale/Gibsons in 2009. “Maggie’s Farm” was a beautiful reflection of her commitment to the land, local food production, and hard work. Her garden contributed bounty to many memorable dinners around Maggie and Tom’s always welcoming table. Mags loved selling her plant starts while imparting her impressive knowledge and became a regular fixture at the many local farmers’ markets. Among her mottos was to “take big bites”. Owning things didn’t matter much to Maggie - except for keeping lots of food and drink on hand. Experiences, adventures and relationships weren’t ends in themselves but ways to engage wholly with life and others. She was naturally committed to connecting with others and trying to accompany them in whatever ways she could. Before and after getting cancer, Maggie said she lived a wonderful life, free of regrets and was so grateful to love and be loved by many. Her immediate family, nephews, nieces and closest friends remained top of mind until the end. Many thanks to the great group who helped her navigate these difficult months, just as Maggie would have helped any of us in the same way: sisters Margy Boutin (Patrick Tyndall) and Kim Morris, and dear friend Miche Shepherd. Also, thanks to Jane Braun, Chris Gilmour, Caroline Ehmann and the many others who showed such kindness and support. Maggie cherished direct simplicity, was true to herself and others, and hoped she would leave a clean wake. Although our teacher has left us, we hope that you honour Maggie by taking some aspect of her that meant the most to you, and making it your own. Stay tuned as we will create a small website remembering her big life (to which you will be able to comment and upload) that will act as a bridge until the in-person celebration she wanted to have. In lieu of flowers or other stuff, please donate to any environmental, humanitarian, social justice or other ‘Maggie-approved’ cause.

Tom Ehmann Decade by decade in - One year gone 1-Maggie in her early 20's 2-In her early 30's with Bob Richardson and Nicki 3- In her late 40's with Scupper on the evening of our first overnight sail on AuroraB 4- 50's at Steve and Vickie's 5- Painting in 2020 by Suzanne Jensen 6- The yellow chair she ordered but never got to sit in so Sass does

Tom Ehmann Crossing the Pacific on AuroraB in 2005 and 2006 After a winter sailing in Mexico, Maggie and Tom sailed for 24 days from Mexico to the Marquesas in French Polynesia. She rated that as the greatest experience of her life. Pic 1 - At anchor 2- AuroraB (far right) in Bora Bora 3 - Marquesan girls 4 - Washing bananas before a passage to the Tuamotus 5- Preparing to motor through the reef into Point Venus, Tahiti 6 - Video "We've found land" - April 26/2005 7 - one hour after sighting land 8 - Ua Pou Marquesas - she was thrilled to be given one of these flower crowns 9- Such nice ocean swimming every day 10 - Moorea anchorage 11 - Tom, Steve and Vero with Mags in Bora Bora 12 - Maggie goes aloft

Chris Gilmour Childhood photos submitted by Margy, Maggie's sister 1. Maggie at 4 2. at 8 months with big sister Margy 3.Grade 12 play with friend Colleen Hill 4. First birthday with Margy 5. Age 4 - Robson family home 1958 6. Robson zoo with Margy and cousins Crystal and Elaine. Not hard to pick which one is Maggie. 7. 1965 holiday in Alberta 8. Leaving in new truck and camper to 1965 holiday 9. Freezing in Easter dresses

Tom Ehmann The Teen Years Pic 1 - Trip to Europe Grade 10 Pic 2 - Graduation Pic 3 - She hated piano lessons Pic 4 - About age 19. She thought this was one of the best photos ever taken of her 5- High School pla 6 - With Kim 7 - Grade 6 or 7

Tom Ehmann Submitted by Suzanne Jensen May 1979 Stan and I sailed into Fisherman’s Wharf from the Haida Gwaii on our 31ft Trimaran. We had heard that a guy (Harold Aune) was producing cool sail boards and he lived on a trimaran as well. What does this have to do with our Maggie? Well that little fierce dove was the beautiful model sailing his boards along with Joy Bretz to market this new innovative product in the fair sedate town of Victoria! The winter of 1979/1980 was mild and dock #1 was filled with liveaboards. We would gather most nights on Harold’s boat and share potluck dinners and some lively conversations. I was pregnant with Kyrsten at the time, she was due July 1980. Mags took charge and organized a baby shower with Joy and other dock ladies. And later Chrissy and herself babysat my little girl while I worked shifts at the Victoria General. I was so grateful to those two gals. I could leave my special baby girl with 2 big baby girls. I would pick her up at the apt on Superior to find Maggie on the floor rolling peas to her, both of them giggling, or Chrissy in bed with her cuddling. They just made me feel safe, and I will always be grateful for that positive beginning. Chrissy was the sensitive sweet mom, Maggie the practical, let’s get into a bit of hooplah mom. Kyrsten was our love connection. Our Maggie was a knitter and lucky Kyrsten was the recipient of a few warm delightful sweaters that she happily wore under her life jackets. In 1982 Kyrsten and I had left the boat anchored up in Ucluelet where Stan was gooeyduck diving and bussed it into Victoria in May to pick up a parcel. We stayed over with Chrissy and Maggie at their new digs on Michigan. This is where I was informed by Chrissy that Mags was “robbing the cradle”. She had introduced her to this younger handsome guy and they were so enchanted with each other they never left her room for the weekend. Much laughter and teasing ensued, I still see Maggie standing there naked waving a yoghurt in her hand and telling me he was just great. She was my maid of honour at my wedding on our boat when K was 3 yrs old. K. went to grandma Jensen on that wedding night. Stan, Maggie, and myself went to a great party with a live band (her idea and a great one at that). We went on to build a 44ft trimaran in 1984 and lived aboard at West Bay Marina. Maggie had Tom in her life and we lost touch for a while. 1994 was the year we changed from “ liveaboards” to “house people”, and true to form Maggie calls the house to see how we were doing. She stayed over for the weekend for a catch-up on all the news and it was like time stood still. I was learning how to cook in a large oven. I said I would make pizza for dinner. Mags says “I just love calzones” sounds great!” Never having had a calzone, nor ever seen one I made my version. 12 GIANT calzones for dinner that night that had Mags in tears laughing. She could barely eat one!! Last March my sweet Maggie was in town again and dropped by our home here in East Sooke for another weekend to catch up on old news. “ I told Chrissy, our little girl is all grown up “and she started laughing. ”And now we are Grandmas” she chuckled. Though we were never next door to each other somehow Maggie had the ability to make you feel like you were a special part of her life. I have always found that so endearing. I will miss you my friend, but I also know that you are always close by and I love that. Stan says she is like a spring daffodil and he loves her dearly. I agree.

Chris Gilmour My Beautiful Friend: Tom once told me that Maggie was his oasis – and I hope he won’t mind if I describe her in the same way. Maggie was the kind of friend where you had so much shared history that you could tell and re-tell the same old stories and always laugh. Or look in the fridge for something to eat, invite yourself to dinner, or to sleep over. The kind of friend where it’s so completely easy and restful to hang out and laugh, and where you know and care deeply about each others’ families. Maggie knew and was adored by both my Mom and Dad, and I was lucky enough to know her lovely father, Ed and her beautiful sisters. I first met Maggie windsurfing (a brand-new sport) at Willows Beach in Victoria. She looked like a Nordic goddess with her blond hair and green swimsuit, but what I noticed most about her was her great laugh. Not long after, we ended up as roommates at the house my parents bought on Superior Street, and Maggie became one of the Superior Women (a title the Sherlock brothers bestowed on us, and that we still use to describe ourselves). Through Maggie, I met Miché, another lifelong friend; although Miché never lived with us, we spent so much time together that she will always be a honorary Superior woman! We all had lots of friends, so our house was the scene of great times, raucous parties (sorry, Mom and Dad), lots of laughter and of course, some hard times and tears – Maggie was a bit of a heartbreaker, so she sometimes called our house "Chris’ Lonely Hearts Hotel". It wasn’t unusual for me to hear a knock on the door and open it to find a recently-dumped boyfriend wondering why Maggie didn’t love him anymore. Of course, that all changed when Maggie met Tom. I knew Tom through the Sherlock brothers, but he and Maggie had never met. She always insisted that she wanted to meet him because I said "he could park his shoes under my bed any night". And I always insisted that was a phrase I would never use. While I thought of Tom as a cherished friend, it is true that all my university friends were crazy about him. One summer while I was out of town, Tom came for a visit from Kingston, a party was arranged, Mags went in my place, and the rest is history. Over the years, I liked to tease Maggie about the great debt she owed me in “introducing her” to Tom. Despite life taking us to various parts of the world, we always kept in touch, easily able to pick up where we left off whenever we did meet. I visited her in Southern California where we baffled naïve Californians with made-up stories of "backwards" Canadian life (more laughing); she visited me in the Northwest Territories (a famous sled dog ride that featured in our stories for years); and of course, after Tom/Mags moved back to Vancouver, I often stayed with them. Time passed, and then as fate would have it, I accepted a job back in Vancouver. In fact, I got three job offers in one day, and Maggie helped me sort out which one I should take (“Just make a decision, Chrissy”). Maggie also arranged for me to share a house with her sister, Margy, and a new bond and friendship was formed. Margy and I have remarkably similar tastes, so much so that Maggie coined the phrase “Two bodies, one brain” to describe us. And Mags really got after us for our preference for uncluttered Scandinavian-style decorating – her famous advice to us “Get some colour in here!” There should have been so many more adventures, conversations, stories to write and memories to create; I always thought that we would be old ladies together. Years ago, we saw an old man up front driving some old women sitting in back and giving him advice. Maggie said that would be us in 30 years - Tom "driving his biddies" (another famous Maggie phrase). I find it so hard to accept that I will never see Maggie again, and I am heartbroken at the huge hole left behind for Tom, her family and her friends. And at the same time, I am so grateful for everything she taught me and the friendship, love, laughter and memories we shared for more than 40 years; I will hang onto and treasure those for the rest of my life, taking a piece of Maggie with me wherever I go.

Tom Ehmann Australian friends (submitted by Patrick Flanagan & Janet Stephens) I first met Maggie in 1983 when she blew into Kingston to join Tom. Kingston then was a somewhat stuffy University town, and Maggie blew in like a breath of fresh air to join Tom's group of Queens' graduate student friends. Like inmates of many institutions, the Psychology graduate students could be a little self- absorbed and insular, so Maggie's arrival shook us up and broke us out of our work routine. (An aside, you, Tom, seemed to recognise that it was important to spend time doing things other than study, e.g., your regular lunchtime pick-up games of basketball.) At the risk of straining the metaphor, in Kingston Maggie could have been like a fish out of water but, as always, she quickly made herself at home and formed close and abiding friendships in what constituted Kingston's counter culture, centred around Chez Piggy, where Maggie worked for a time as a waitress. Maggie (and Tom) and I have maintained our friendship over the intervening 30+ years and Janet and I have visited them, or they have visited us in Oz on a fairly regular basis. Maggie and Tom have always been inclusive and welcoming and my three daughters (Kellie, Kirrily and Krista) and two of Janet's three sons (Jerrard and Patrick) would consider them as part of the family and all were devastated to hear she had passed away. We will all miss Maggie. But what we do have are those precious memories about our times together, be it sailing on Desolation Sound, enjoying preparing food, much of it homegrown, and eating it around a communal table at some location, be it Vancouver, the so-called Sunshine Coast, Anglesea, the Grampians, or the Howth Peninsula, near Dublin. We will also miss comparing homegrown vegetables and fruit from her and Janet's gardens. Patrick Flanagan Almost 20 years ago, Patrick and I rolled into Vancouver jetlagged after a long flight from Australia. I knew just how important these old friends were to Patrick, so I felt a bit apprehensive meeting them for the first time. The warmth of Maggie's smile and the light in her eyes knocked me out. Two days later she gave me a shopping list for Granville Market. It had three different kinds of chili on it and the exact location of the shop. I never knew there was more than one kind of chilli in the world. The shop was a revelation to me, and so was the Mexican dish Maggie cooked that night, full of subtle flavours and heat. Years later (2013) we joined Maggie and Tom on their yacht for a week sailing up Desolation Sound. Once again I felt a bit nervous, partly about spending a week all together on a small boat in such close quarters ( the other part of the nerves was due to the fact that the name Desolation Sound didn't fill me with confidence). But it was easy. As Maggie explained, you can always get away from someone in a boat, you just go sit up the front by yourself. And why would I want to get away? She was easygoing, serene and straightforward with nautical expertise in spades. For me, Maggie always stood for warmth and welcome, good food, good times and hospitality. There was an openness to her acceptance of others (even my kids and their friends at one point) that showed in the way she lived her whole life, 'Take big bites.' Good advice, Maggie and thank you for everything. Janet Stephens

Tom Ehmann Kingston 1983-1989 1- Our last place, a cottage on the St Lawrence River 2- First boat we owned . Faster to cross the river for chocolate bars at ferry landing than driving to town 3- Mag carries Hamish 4 - Maggie, Chris and Hamish 5 - Margy comes to visit 6- On the dock

Tom Ehmann Caribbean - Magwar followed her friend Jude to the Virgin Islands and stayed off and on for 3 years. 1. Video from a 2012 (?) return visit to the Virgin Islands 2. Tom escapes Kingston winter to visit Maggie 3. Jude and Mag- St Thomas USVI 4. After a visit to the Virgin Islands, this is in Carupano Venezuela during Carnival.

Tom Ehmann Living large in her 20's Many jobs, many adventures and many friends as Maggie developed her independence of thought and action. Fish boats, wind surfers, ski hills, bars, restaurants, sailboats and even a butcher all taught her and they all thanked their lucky starts to have her. Pic 1 - Preparing the rock star look onboard the salmon boat for a concert on a deserted Island off Vancouver Island. The "event" was hosted and attended by a total of 2 - 1. Maggie (the deck hand and only crew) and 2. the skipper. Pic 2 - La blanca (Mag) y La negra (Miche) took Cabo San Lucas by storm circa 1981. Pic 3 -Maggie - posterchild for companies making windsurfers in the 1980's. In those early days she had to declare her luggage when flying to exhibitions as a pole vault pole and a surfboard. Pic 4 -"He's my dad and I'm proud of it" Pic 5 - Tom can't believe his good fortune as he first experiences Maggie's sailing life in the Virgin Islands Pic 6 -Hanging with little sis Kim at sister Margy's place in Richmond Pic 7 - hmmmm. What is she thinking? Pic 8 - Another boardsurfing brochure

Tom Ehmann Jude and Maggie - Here and there and other places too. Submitted by Jude Roeder See pic descriptions at end of story My first memory of Maggie was seeing her walk down the dock at Fisherman’s Wharf, Victoria, wearing a milk-chocolate brown bikini with her tanned skin and white-blonde hair tossed about in a carefree manner. She exuded confidence and ‘naturalness’. I lived onboard the trimaran “Ishmael” that I helped build and so the dock was my home and I came to see Maggie as a frequent visitor of liveaboards there. She sometimes took care of friends’ young children and I noted her relaxed, fun-loving manner with them, and her sometimes ‘I’m not gonna put up with nonsense’ message. I have a vision of her trim body leaning back in a strong stance while windsurfing past the dock. One day when I was feeling chilly she loaned me an almost knee-length mohair sweater (purple and pink flecked!), one of her favourites that she had made. I loved it and she let me keep it for a month! One of the things I learned from Maggie is the value of leaving behind more than you came with. If Maggie stopped by for dinner or to overnight she would be sure to bring something with her to share as well as a bottle of wine to leave behind as she was leaving. This I appreciated and have always tried to remember in my own life. Maggie was generous and caring. When it came to 'treats' or desserts however, she was very clear and specific about boundaries. If you wanted a treat she would happily put your order in or pick it up at the store when collecting hers. But the rule was ‘no sharing of treats’… she wanted to savour each and every mouthful. She was upfront about this and communicated clearly with no hard feelings, just matter of factly. I recall once trying to see if there was any wiggle room but I learned to appreciate her clarity and it became an example I aspired to follow. In all other areas of life Maggie was supremely generous, just don’t ask her to pass the pint of chocolate Haagen Dasz ice cream after being fairly warned beforehand! In our 20's Maggie and I lived together on sailboats in the Virgin Islands. Whenever a weather system moved in, such as a tropical wave or tropical depression, we would wait it out at the marina bar/restaurant called Lord Rumbottom's (Rummy's) l The cloudy skies, heavy rain, and cooler temperatures were perfect for staying inside and sipping hot rum toddies. We would pass the hours colouring with crayons in a shared colouring book while sitting at the bar. Every couple of hours we'd take turns and one of us would head down to the dock where our dinghy was tied up and bail it with our bailer, a chlorox jug with the bottom cut out, otherwise the dinghy would sink with the heavy rains! Maggie’s carefree way was liberating and contagious. She helped me to relax and not take things so seriously. One of the things I especially enjoyed during our time together was devising plans and solving problems. We were both good problem solvers, adventurous souls, and roll up your sleeves kind of girls so together we could be a ‘force’! We weren’t afraid to tackle thing usually handled only (at that time) by the male gender! One ‘winter’ in the Virgin islands we lived together on a 44’ sailboat that we were ‘boat sitting’ for its owner who lived in Toronto. We were anchored in Vessup Bay, just outside of the marina harbour in Red Hook, St. Thomas. Both of us had jobs bartending at a place called ‘New York New York’. We had only one dinghy to share and getting to and from anchor to shore was a 30 minute trip so we had to plan accordingly so our ride would be at the dock when our shift finished. I remember Maggie sometimes showed up early and while I was closing up she would play Pokemon on the big game machine. I have vivid memories of her adding more coins to the machine and sitting on a bar stool while pushing the stick. I especially recall her blowing air from her bottom lip while focusing intently on the game… her white bangs would flip up when the ‘breeze’ hit! One of the perks of being anchored outside the main harbour was jumping off the boat in our birthday suits. It felt remarkably different without a swimsuit and drying off in the sun was even more luxurious! But one of us would sound the alert if we saw a ferry boat entering or leaving the harbour as we’d have to hold on tightly to the handrails while the sailboat rolled from side to side for several minutes! Maggie, Magwar, Mags… I remember you as strong, vibrant, courageous, easy going, practical, capable, beautiful, playful, inspiring, good company, honest, down to earth, trustworthy, considerate.… thank-you for being you and being part of my journey!! Pic 1 - this barracuda followed Mag right to ankle depth when snorkeling with Jude and Tom 2- Maggie took this pic of Jude and Tom when the 3 of them took out a J30 for a week 3- Inside New York New York, the bar in Red Hook, USVI 4 - Cinnamon - a boat Maggie stayed on for a time 5- Jude at New York New York

Chris Gilmour "The Pig" - Chez Piggy Restaurant, Kingston While she sometimes denied it, Maggie loved cooking, especially for friends. She enjoyed seeking out new recipes and trying new foods. While Tom was doing his doctorate in Kingston, Maggie worked at Chez Piggy restaurant. "The Pig" was the site of many fun times and when they moved back to Vancouver, M/T's friends were the lucky recipients of the recipes Maggie learned while working there. Tom and Mags hosted some epic Christmas parties, especially when they lived on Harwood Street. In addition to her legendary Christmas baking, Maggie would always make two "Pig" favourites - Cha Gio (Vietnamese spring rolls) and Chez Piggy's decadent eggnog. I'm lucky enough to have a Piggy cookbook Maggie gave me, endorsed with her signature words "Eat Well". pic 6 - return visit to the Pig 2019. With Lynne. Maggie had just finished a cross Canada train trip. It had always been on her bucket list. pic 7 Off to work at the Pig in a vintage dress pic 8/9 While Margy was on a visit to Kingston, Maggie took advantage of some new outfits for work at the "Pig"

Tom Ehmann Friends 1- Vickie in Alert Bay 2- Miche in Langdale 3- Jeanne at the house in Langdale 4- Austen in St Thomas, USVI 5- Alexia and Juliette visit from France 6- Francis and Marama - Vanuatu 7- Yvonne and Greg's baby Charli 8- Joe and Marie from Texas 9- Jill - Sechelt BC 10- Yvonne and Charli visit M and T in Langdale 11 - Lynne from Kingston 12 - Lisa on AuroraB 2019

Tom Ehmann Maggie's legacy through baking Submitted by Keith Shikatani I guess that when I first met you two it was shortly after I moved to Vancouver from Montreal in the mid to late 1990’s. Your little wood framed house in the West End became a meeting place and I remember many parties including those Christmas gatherings. Still not sure how the candles on the Christmas trees never caught fire but they were lovely. Now I can’t remember exactly but I believe it was at one of those gatherings that Maggie introduced me to some delicious home baked cranberry and pecan biscotti. I can still hear her explaining that it was a Martha Stewart recipe and that the dough would get incredibly sticky. Just wanted to let you know that, every year since, I have baked those biscotti and shipped them to family and friends across the country and to my sisters in the US during the holiday season. Every year I can hear her words and, yes the dough still gets really sticky. Just a simple memory that has stuck with me over the years that I wanted to share. Pic 1 - those biscotti a la Keith Shikatani Pic 2 - Maggie during that era

Tom Ehmann Exploring the BC coast Maggie first saw the coast working on fishboats and then with Tom on the two sailboats they owned. Living on a boat suited Maggie just fine. She liked the simplicity yet possessed immense knowledge of everything from the right knot to tie, to perfect anchoring technique to fibreglasssing to sail repair and on and on. Let's just say she was way up there in terms of competence and comfort with being on the ocean on a boat. Pic 1 -First night on the Central Coast past Vancouver Island with buddies Steve and Vickie 2. - Port McNeil 2017 3. - Klemtu Central Coast 4. All time most well used fresh water swimming lake near Grace Harbour, Desolation Sound 5 - In the Tinker - a dinghy that rowed well 6 - Hanging with Sass 7 - Fallen totem poles in Mamalillacula Broughton Islands- village of last potlatch 8. Catching big white spotted prawns 9. Mid-July in Johnstone Straight - yikes this is a summer vacation? 10. Incredible Hakai, Calvert Island 11. Fury Cove looking tropical but beach is all shell 12. Now abandoned floating community, Echo Bay 13. Shirt sailing back to our boat. Cortez Island 14. Nice back Mag

Tom Ehmann Submitted by Jane and Rolf Braun 1- Lasqueti Island. The four of us Tom, Maggie, Rolf and Jane on our sailboats. Had anchored to get fish and chips at the pub. This is the essence of happiness in a dinghy. Tow courtesy of Rolf and Jane Note: If I recall right, we arrived after dark and rafted up. Discovered that we had forgotten all of our warm clothes and were saved by the free store on Lasqueti. They refused to accept any money so Maggie figured out that they would accept a donation to the volunteer fire department 2-Smugglers cove July 2003. One of the many infamous sailing trips up the coast. 3 sailboats, 6 people and 2 dogs hiking around the cove on a hot and sunny day. Such great times! L to R: Tom, Jane, Maggie, Scupper, Margie, Patrick, Simon, and Rolf. 3-Cortez July 2003 . Maggie , Tom, Jane and Rolf on Aurora B. Ready to enjoy Maggie s wonderful curry chicken masala . White wine ? of course! The four of us and our dogs Scupper and Simon had some amazing times up in Desolation Sound. We sailed, we hiked, we swam and we laughed A LOT. 4 - Maggie 5- Where are we? Perhaps this was the time we teased Jane about bringing tape to mark our trail and soon got lost. 6- Jane and Rolf aboard TacTik

Tom Ehmann More family and friends 1 - Vid of prepping to leave Mexico on a long sail. Slow to load but pure Maggie spirit 2 - With Nieces Julia and Victoria 3- Aunt Mag with Dylan 4 - Meal in Langdale with usual suspects 5 - Ehmanns - Bill, Victoria, Caroline and Ally 6 - More family - Vic and Helen sailing with Mag and Tom at Pender Harbour dock 7. Mag walking to Loon Lake for a swim 8 - Friends Jane and Rolf 9 - She did this a thousand times. Dog to shore duty 10 - At Bill and Jackie's on Thormanby Island

Tom Ehmann Submitted by Stephanie Parry and Warren Johnson The year: 2005. The place: First in Turtle Bay, Mexico and last in Nadi, Fiji, with the wide Pacific and many lovely Polynesian anchorages in between. We are Warren and Stephanie of sv Mico Verde, and have the most amazing memories of Maggie and Tom aboard sv Aurora B. Fun, laughter, exploring, and hearing Maggie’s stories of all the adventures she’d had even before she set sail with Tom ... we are so sad to hear she’s no longer with us, but nothing can take away our memories of her and Tom and our precious time together. 1. St. Patrick’s Day 2005 - San Patricio, Mexico 2. 2005 Maggie learning basket weaving from local Marquesan woman 3. Aboard sv Aurora B in Fiji - Maggie and Tom mix up a batch of kava 4-7- Fiji - A hot spring mud bath in the tropics at 35C is about as refreshing as it sounds but getting dirty never loses its charms when you’re amongst friends

Mike Foster Sailing with Tom & Maggie across the South Pacific in 2005 was a lifetime highlight for the Fosters from SV Wyndeavor.

Tom Ehmann South Pacific 2 - the joy Maggie experienced in the South Pacific is pretty evident from the photos. Six months in Fiji during cyclone season allowed some good friendships to develop Pic 1- Raratonga Pic 2- Tom/Mag underway for overnight sail from Rarotonga to Aitutaki in Cook Islands Pic 3 - Mag and friend Kini in Yasawa group Fiji Pic 4 - Blue Hole, Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (different trip) Pic 5 - AuroraB at anchor Pic 6 - Mag touring wonderful Niue Pic 7 - Sugar cane train near Lautoka, Fiji Pic 8 - The incomparable beauty of the Marquesas Pic 9 - Niue has the clearest water and she saw a green flash there Pic 10- Fresh water swimming in Fiji Pic 11 - Natural mud baths - Fiji 12 - Short vid of Maggie showing how to board a boat using the bow line

Chris Gilmour I love this photo of Tom and Maggie (and Todd) taken in Stanley Park shortly after the huge windstorm in 2006 that felled this giant cedar. This beautiful tree was standing long before the first Europeans sailed into English Bay. When I look at this photo, it reminds me of what Herman Hesse wrote, "Nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree.” Or a beautiful strong woman like Maggie. Or the love between Maggie and Tom that is so evident in this photo.

Chris Gilmour "Love Affair with Dogs" Photo #1: Maggie and Scupper playing in the park at the foot of Harwood Street in Vancouver's West End where she and Tom lived from 1994 to 2004. Photo #2: Beautiful Sass (Langdale/Victoria dog) doing her best balancing act in the woods near M/T's house in Langdale Photo #3,#4: Sass again - aka Velcro to Magwar #% - Scupper - 1994-2005

Tom Ehmann The Vancouver Era Kingston was followed by a six month trip to the Caribbean and Central America in 1989. The Vancouver era lasted until moving to Langdale in 2009. It was here that Maggie: 1.became a horticulturalistt 2. did urban living at its finest (or funkiest) at the Harwood house in the West End 3.prepped and returned from major sailing adventures 4. hung out with a fantastic group of people (plus Scupper the dog) 5.worked too much and 6. played just enough. 1 - The little house of action on Harwood St 2 - Snow in Stanley Park 3. Maggie worked as a driver for NBC at the 2010 Olympics 4. Chris and Todd's wedding aboard an Aquabus on English Bay 5. Mag turns 40 6. After buying the boat we used to sail in English Bay and stop at the Granville Island Market before returning to the Vancouver Rowing Club 7. Scupper 8. Winning the top student award at BCIT age 37 9. Pic Mag took of Lions' Gate bridge 10. With little ones nephew Bjorn and Scupper 11. Ah, those raucous hospital ward staff parties 12. Harwood Street

Chris Gilmour Life on The Sunshine Coast 2009-2020 #1 View from the deck #2 Bear strolling through Maggie's Farm #3 Maggie's Farm - "Seedy" Saturdays #4, 5 Lemons/garlic from the farm - what's for dinner? #6 Hard at work in the garden #7 Raised beds #1 View from deck #2 Bear strolling through Maggie's Farm #3 Maggie's Farm - "Seedy" Saturdays #4, 5 Lemons/garlic from the farm #6 Hard at work in the garden #7 Raised beds #8 An apt title for her consulting business #9 A garden she designed and installed #10 How many towns have a cement mixer win the parade?

Chris Gilmour "Chillin' in Beijing" In March 2010, Chris and Maggie took a "girls' trip" to Beijing - much hilarity ensued. A favourite memory is the day we went to the hair salon. This was not a tourist area of Beijing, and they weren't accustomed to having "Gweilo" in the salon. We soon had a curious audience of all the neighbouring shopkeepers who watched carefully as we were asked to lie down on 2 fully reclining beds to have our hair washed. Not used to washing Western hair, the poor hairdresser soon realized he had vigorously shampooed Maggie's fine hair into a tangled mess - he used about 6 different conditioners before he could get a comb through it! We started laughing and just couldn't stop - all the way through the hours-long appointment.

Chris Gilmour Family Photos/Gatherings 1- Three sisters Margy, Maggie and Kim 2- Dylan and Linh help build stairs in Langdale 3- Beauty masks Christmas 2019 4 - Circa 1970, Robson 5 - Sisters, Dad and Aunt Lil 6 - Dinner at Harwood St. West End, Vancouver 7 - With sister Kim 8 - At Bjorn's grad Nelson BC 9 - Robson Christmas 10 - Ed and Nephew Dylan 11- Magwar (Maggie) turns 60

Chris Gilmour Tom's "terrible" video - great to hear Maggie's laugh- Bike Riding on the dock on Sointula Island and a favourite memory from Todd (Chris' husband): When I see this video and hear Maggie's laugh, I can't help but think of a Christmas morning after M/T had returned from their South Pacific voyage. We were opening presents when we heard Maggie calling from below our window (we all lived in the West End at the time). I looked out to see Maggie, bouncing up and down with joy over the new bike Tom had given her for Christmas. She exuded pure child-like excitement, and it was so much fun watching her with her new "toy". While we don't have a photo, when I think of Maggie, I'll always remember her in that moment, so characteristic of her happiness and zest for life!

Tom Ehmann An old friend submitted by Alan and Gil -Howth, Ireland In October 2016 Maggie and Tom visited Gill and myself (Alan) in Dublin, Ireland, with the old gang from Kingston (Pat & Joe) and their partners (Marie & Janet). Photo 1 - Marie, Maggie, Janet Pat, Joe & Tom on Balscadden Road heading up to the cliff path, with Howth harbour in the background. (Howth is headland about 8 miles outside Dublin where we live). Photo 2 -Tom, Maggie, Alan, Janet and Joe on the cliff path about half way round Howth head. Photo 3 - Maggie with all the usual suspects at Trinity College Dublin. Photo 4 -Tom, Maggie, Janet, Patrick, Marie, and Joe with statue of Phil Lynott from Thin Lizzie in Dublin. We first met Maggie in Kingston, Ontario in the 1980s. My first impression was that she and Tom were made for each other; and that Maggie was great fun, a great sailor, and to her life was one big adventure. That was still my impression, 32 years later, when Maggie and Tom visited us in Ireland in 2016. She lived life to the fullest. She brought light into the world. We will always remember her. We miss her.

Tom Ehmann Knowing Maggie in many places Submitted by Jeanne Socrates I first met Maggie and Tom on AuroraB in Barra de Navidad Mexico where I was also anchored nearby on Nereida as they were preparing, with a few other boats, to cross over to the Marquesas and on across the Pacific to Fiji. Tom and I discussed Raymarine instrumentation but I soon realized that Maggie was no novice when it came to being on board boats. Over the years I came to realize that she had a great depth of practical knowledge and was amazed to hear her talk of her times on fishboats and windsurfing. She clearly loved cruising around B.C. and down to Mexico – both being places she and Tom knew well. Knowing how much she and Tom enjoyed Mexico and swimming in warm waters, I was delighted when I persuaded them (without too much difficulty!) to join me in La Cruz Mexico a couple of times in later years. Maggie was a delight to have on board and was always quick to suggest a practical answer to any problem. As others have pointed out, she had the gift of seeing straight through problems, however tangled the web. One year we spent time anchored off San Blas Mexico and went up the river one day – a great trip! Of course, “no-seeums” would arrive at sunset, soon after our evening swim, but Maggie made sure they were kept at bay by draping netting firmly over the cockpit as we enjoyed our evening drinks. T and M were with me in La Cruz on “pancake Day” in February, so lots of crepes were to be had covered in real Canadian maple syrup. Maggie was always so very happy to be anywhere on the water and spoke often of how much she enjoyed the trip across the Pacific and of time spent in Vanuatu. I was welcomed to the Gibsons’ Marina several times and loved staying in Langdale – we would often watch out for Tom’s return ferry from Vancouver to pass by in the evening. In Langdale Maggie’s other love- of gardening- was obvious. She enjoyed it so much and thought nothing of totally uprooting and re-making, with a protective layer, a big bed she had only planted the previous year because some invasive weed had spread in it. She grew amazing vegetables and liked incorporating them into her cooking. Her generous caring nature came to the fore after an accident happened to me as she invited me to stay, still in a neck brace, to recuperate. I became one of the family and spent a wonderful Christmas (for the second time), travelling to Nelson and then to Kelowna in a memorable snowstorm. Just before my last circumnavigation, Maggie heard I had a dive tank problem and immediately volunteered to give me one of theirs – duly tested and refilled with air. She made time to come over to Victoria with it, brining wonderful tinned salmon (wild, of course!!) to take with me, and then spent time helping me work on Nereida despite it being difficult to fit all that into her busy schedule on the Sunshine Coast. Helping others came with no fuss but with a smile and a dogged insistence that she wanted to help. It was second nature to her and it was always very practical. I am writing this (4/ 2021) in Australia where COVID has trapped me, unable to return to B.C., and so I was unable to see Maggie last year. It seems unbelievable that she succumbed so fast and that we’ll never see her or hear her laugh again. We all miss you so very much Maggie!!!! Pic1 - Langdale 2- Tom's ferry home 3- Maggie, Jaylynn and Sass 4- San Blas Mexico river trip 2016 5- San Blas river trip 6- Maggie and Jeanne to San Blas on Nereida 7- Underway on Nereida, Mexico 8 - Crepes galore 9- Maggie's Christmas baking 10- She loved this Coral Maple at home in Langdale

Chris Gilmour A lifelong love affair with the natural world. 1.Mag's first lobster mushroom - Langdale 2. Swimming into an underwater cave - Tonga 3. Near hometown Robson, BC 4. Trying to steer the boat on the Canal-de Midi - France. Corbiere vineyard 5. Mag was in awe of the storm damage Stanley Park 7. Working on part of a garden Mag designed and installed 8. How many walks in the woods 9. On Gabriola Island- photo by Margy Gilmour 10. Sointula Island sign 11. Maggie loved seeing dolphins and orcas 12. Use sun and wind to dry laundry insisted Maggie

Chris Gilmour Mexico Maggie loved Mexico, the Mexican people and the food. She went over a dozen times ranging from a week to six months. 1 - Sailing with Jeanne Socrates on SV Nereida 2 - In Tepic 2020 3 - Friends in Barra de Navidad 4 - Aboard Nereida again 5. Baja - Gulf of California 6 - Somewhere on AuroraB

Tom Ehmann Empowering others Maggie gently encouraged others to trust themselves to become richer as individuals - to be kind and honest yet assertive and live life more fully. In her ways, she attempted to enrich and empower everyone but especially women and girls. She freely gave advice, knowledge and money to individuals and groups she joined (e.g. women who sail, farm collectives, micro loans to women and education for girls). To young people, Maggie modeled respect for others and the value of overcoming ignorance and fear in order to embrace new perspectives and pursue novel or interesting avenues. Conventionality often needed to be set aside (taking her pre-teen nieces to Lillith Fair several years running comes to mind). Maggie was strong but that outward facing persona certainly did not reveal her vulnerability and tender heart. She was not immune to feeling awful when others mistreated her yet she had the fortitude and compassion to forgive and hope they learned to do better. Maggie worked hard to maintain her relationships and consciously devoted her time, energy, and resources and to friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances. In particular, there are a lot of women out there who learned how to overcome their doubts and lack of knowledge because of Maggie's extensive sharing on women-centric internet sailing forums. Simply put, Maggie's way of living served for many as inspiration on how to live with gusto without being selfish or harming to others. Remember her motto was "Take big bites".

Tom Ehmann Maggie goes to bat Loyalty, devotion and giving were central to Maggie's character. Especially when the going got tough she inevitably stepped up. Several examples: 1. she quit her restaurant job and moved to help a friend deal with a life crisis 2. On her way to a 4 week winter ski vacation, she dropped in to visit Tom's parents and recognized that they were struggling with an undiagnosed medical problem. She cancelled her vacation and spent the whole time caring for them. pic 1 - During COVID Maggie bought catered Thanksgiving dinner for this group of guys in Vancouver pic 2 - Posted by Chris: Another example of Maggie's devotion and caring. Not only did Maggie and Tom take us and Jack's (our Dad) ashes for his last sail (a love for sailing something they all had in common), when we arrived at the boat, Maggie had prepared fronds for each of us to throw, using sprigs of the Big J's favourite trees (he was a forester and loved to quiz Maggie on the Latin names for plants/trees).

Chris Gilmour Always a reader (the book-a-week club)! #1 Maggie at home in Langdale. #2 Maggie was delighted by this whole series (set in the south of France) in 2020. #3 A favourite writer dating from university days #4 And another fave - I think that Maggie could have written this title herself! #5 Then came reading on devices - Mexico 2020

Tom Ehmann Langdale Great place. Really steep property kept our legs in shape. All shots from 2020 except Maggie with the mushroom (2016ish) .

Chris Gilmour (Submitted by Eric Sherlock) Wonderful Memories. It was just a year ago now that Maggie and Tom joined Claire and I at a hidden-away bohemian hotel called El Rinconcito, the “little corner”, in Mayto, at the edge of a vast undeveloped beach on the Pacific coast of Mexico. For us, the warm sand floor, the outdoor fire pit, and the drift-wood furniture, felt like an escape to an unusual and adventurous world. For Maggie and Tom, who had sailed through the South Pacific islands a few years earlier, El Rinconcito just felt like home. We were living in the glorious moment, oblivious to the gathering Covid-19 pandemic, and to the illness that within the year, would take our beloved Maggie from this world. Maggie and Tom, and Claire and I also visited a coastal village called Tehualmixtle in Jalisco state. Maggie and Tom swam among the anchored fishing boats in the bay, and then we drank Pacifico beer and ate shrimp tortillas overlooking the water. Maggie discussed with Tom where they could approach the sheltered cove in their sailboat the next time they were sailing in this part of the coast. They returned to their home in Gibsons a few days later. And for Claire and I, whenever we again visit the village of Tehulmixtle, we will always imagine seeing their boat as it navigates around the peninsula, entering the bay. Claire Trépanier Eric (Rick) Sherlock

Kim Morris Maggie’s spectacular garden. There was always something to pick, prep and eat from the garden. Maggie always made sure she shared her garden with the bees by planting enough for them too.

Tom Ehmann Victoria- A second time A move to Victoria in September 2020 started with a month at sister Kim's and then purchase of a duplex. Maggie wanted to move to be closer to her and Tom's family and friends. Pic 1 - Moving in furniture Pic 2 - the new digs - kind of like Langdale but littler 3 - possession day 4. Making pasta sauce - the last of the Langdale tomatoes and the last time Maggie canned 5. This clip never ceased to make Maggie laugh. Cancer couldn't stop that.

Chris Gilmour Maggie Makes Things! Maggie was a talented maker - from building compost bins to knitting to felting and sewing Hallowe'en costumes (and sails...). And so many babies benefited from her beautiful handknits.

Tom Ehmann My sister (Submitted by Mary Boutin) Growing up in the Columbia River valley in the small town of Robson, my sister Maggie and I reflected on our idyllic childhood. We spoke of it often. There was total freedom to explore whether it be riding our one speed bikes on a 20 kilometres round trip to Colman’s store at Syringa Creek for an ice cream cone or climbing the rock face of a cliff in our back yard - the Selkirk Mountains. Maggie was very young and small, but she could always keep up, being strong, tough and resolute. Always the cheerful, happy child with an indomitable spirit and sense of adventure led her to be the adult she became. Maggie was my best friend - though we both had other best childhood friends, she was always at the forefront of my day. We never ever fought. She was simply the best. Margy Boutin Louise Gluck says “ of two sisters one is always the watcher, one the dancer”. Maggie was the dancer. #1 December 2019 @ Van Dusen Garden #2 1955 Margy and Maggie #3 Christmas 1955 sitting on our Mom's toy box #1957 Robson, BC and no, we didn't live in those shacks #5 Groovy girls on vacation - wearing purple pedal pushers at Osoyoos Lookout #6 Three Sisters #7 Margy and Maggie sailing in the British Virgin Islands, 1985

Tom Ehmann Some words from others - She is responsible for defining the person I have become...she was an incredible role model for me. JW - our fondest memories of Gibsons will always be our get-togethers, to eat good food, drink (a little too much) average wine, and tell and re-tell stories of our travels and experiences and make them sound new at every re-telling. I loved trading stories about the triumphs and disasters of our respective home improvement projects, and my gardening related discussions with Maggie. She was, as you said, a master horticulturist who was kind and generous with her knowledge. MY - I hope I get to grow up (and I have) to be just like you with your green everything, seamanship, forthrightness, crazy fibre skills and kindness. VE -She was luminous. Her joyful and playful energy was really a pleasure to be around. It was also clear that she was a thoughtful and reflective person TW - I remember Maggie as upbeat, down to earth, considerate of others, courageous and as you said, practical. It’s apparent these were her true colours and she wore them right to the end. I will always be grateful for her friendship and the times we shared. JR - My memories of Maggie go way back to high school in the early 70s, and I can still hear her voice and laughter echoing in the hallways. Years later when I got to know her Dad, you could see that the apple didn't fall far from the tree. They were the kind of people you wished everyone was like. Happy, fun, sincere and always pointed in the right direction. JT - I often think fondly of afternoons chatting on the porch in the West End and having a glass while taking in Maggie's knowledge and sass. CC - Mags was such an incredible person and the two an amazing team. I have such fond memories of her and her wicked sense of humour. That and her propensity to call a spade an f’ing shovel! RL - As in art, she encompassed multitudes. Maggie is about life - taking big bites and living without holding back. LB - A beautifully written story of Maggie. She would be in awe of herself after reading it, as we were always in awe of her. JL - Maggie was the most honest, straightforward, unpretentious and unselfish person I have ever known. TB - She emitted love like nobody’s business, and I just adored her. DM -her vibrant spirit left such an impact on this world and your love for one another was so special and such an inspiration to me. JM -Maggie bailed me out of difficult situations as Manager of Deluxe Landscaping many times. She was always there when I needed her. MA - She was the best and she had your back. It was a privilege to work with her. KL -Maggie taught me many things that I have carried with me through life. CH - Maggie is one of the most generous and pure hearted souls that I have ever had the honour of getting to know. KA - Beauty, brains and brawn encapsulated into one amazing being. JC

Chris Gilmour (Submitted by Janis Matson – friend and fellow horticulturalist) I met Maggie through our love of horticulture. We worked with the same company 30 odd years ago and just clicked! Through the love of nature, the love of plants and the love for life! Maggie and I had fabulous discussions typically over good food - debating the good, bad and ugly in the landscaping world. From maintenance, installation to design and plant selection - we debated thoughts, ideas, likes and dislikes. We both loved the idea of sustainability in the landscape - with a focus on birds and pollinators. Maggie and I had a few opportunities to work together as our careers evolved. Here we are at Van Dusen gardens - 25 odd years ago - we had finished creating a display garden. Thank you my friend - for all the laughs, support, ideas, thoughts and love. May your spirit sail into a beautiful garden where I will eventually find you laughing with a glass of wine!

Chris Gilmour Part 2 of friend Lisa Wise's memories of Maggie: Maggie and Tom always sent out Christmas cards and it was always a joy to receive their cards – I always had the intention of replying but only did so relatively randomly. I always had the plan in the back of my mind to visit them in Canada – however Canada is more of a destination than a “on-the-way-to-somewhere-else” place so it didn’t quite happen on my various travels overseas. But in early 2019, I noticed that a taekwondo course that I needed to undertake was happening in Vancouver in a few week’s time, so I did the “if not now, when” calculation in my head, and flew to Vancouver for the weekend. I stayed for two days with Maggie and Tom at Gibsons in their beautiful home, and then went to my course. We talked about old times and new, and it was so wonderful to have friends that, after decades of intermittent contact, made it feel like only yesterday that we had last connected. The most delightful part of visiting with them was that I was invited into their daily life – I went with Maggie to the landscape gardening store, and to exchange pots with various people, and to do bits and bobs while hearing all about the people, the land, and the history of the area in a way that was so warm and engaging. I went to different places with Tom, and then when the three of us were sharing food together, they talked about the day – who we’d seen, what was still to see, and we just had lovely conversations that were so engaging and vivid. Along the way, we talked about my plans for taking long service leave and travelling in mid 2019, with a couple of conferences as the defining points of my trip. The first was in Ireland, the next was in Italy, and the final one was in Germany. For a variety of reasons, I was planning on avoiding the US, and so I had decided to fly to Vancouver so I could visit with Tom and Maggie again, and then to catch the train across Canada stopping off in Kingston along the way, and then flying from Halifax to Iceland and then to Ireland. I got some excellent advice about renting cars in Ireland (“Don’t take the upgrade to a bigger car because the roads are so narrow” – which was such good advice), and then Maggie said how she’d always wanted to do the trans-Canada train trip. And from there, the plan evolved whereby I would fly into to Vancouver, meet up with Maggie and we’d do the train trip together. What a privilege that was! Maggie was the most efficient travel agent I’ve encountered, and had trip and all the various options organised and booked for us. She had thought through all the timings and interconnections including what we’d see when, and she’d also organised a flying visit to the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia. I arrived back to Vancouver in mid-June, and off we went! We had individual sleeper carriages across the carriage from each other from Vancouver to Toronto. It was a delight to travel with someone who was great company, but was also totally independent. We ate most of our meals together – and what meals they were! Three courses of deliciousness, and Maggie and I both loved our food. Maggie was so knowledgeable about many of the places we visited – the history, the landscape, just all sorts of knowledge and all sorts of stories that were so interesting – such an amazing memory for all the interesting details. The train from Toronto to Montreal was a familiar route for me, and then we changed in Montreal for the train to Halifax. We had been bumped from our individual cabins with shared facilities to a shared cabin with private facilities on this train – and what a hoot that was! The carriage was somewhat elderly and the cabin had very faded and peeling pink wallpaper – quite the décor and sufficient for Maggie to notify ViaRail of its unsuitability! Despite the interesting accommodation, it was all a whole lot of fun, although there had been some drama that delayed the train by many hours, so we ended up missing the pickup time of our rental car in Halifax, and our first night of accommodation on the Cabot Trail. Maggie was such a good travel companion – we booked a night at the Westin Hotel at the station, organised the car for the next morning, and proceeded to have a lovely dinner and stroll along the harbour in Halifax – so nice to have someone so positive, vibrant and adaptable to changed plans. Our superquick tour of the Cabot Trail was again incredibly efficiently planned by Maggie, with very specific highlights organised (the seafood chowder at Whycocomagh, the lobster rolls from the café down the way a bit), and it was just so much fun despite the fact that almost all of the views were encased by misty rain. It was a truly memorable trip and such a joy to spend time with Maggie. It turned out that the train trip across Canada took longer than I’d anticipated, so Maggie and I visited Kingston separately, she on her way home from Halifax, and me on my way home from Germany. I then stopped over in Vancouver again for a few more days with Tom and Maggie, this time to go sailing for two days. We had a really nice time despite the lack of wind. It was so nice to have a brief opportunity to spend time on the boat with them, and we lazily discussed all our plans for the future. All I can say is that I am doubly and triply grateful for the time I spent with Maggie in 2019 – 9 days of travelling with her across Canada just sharing conversations and doing things together – it was so much fun to be in her company and I still see that widening of the eyes and vivid smile and the “Oh my!!” at each new idea or different thing to do. And spending time with Tom and Maggie together to see such a loving and caring and welcoming relationship over so many years. It took so long to write down my memories of Maggie because I wanted to do it with joy of the time together rather than with the devastating sadness of her loss. I’m so glad that I embraced the idea of “If not now, when?” in reconnecting with Tom and Maggie for a weekend which grew into a shared train trip and renewed embracing of life. Maggie, you will never be forgotten xxxx (Lisa Wise, Jan 2021)

Chris Gilmour Part 1 of friend Lisa Wise's memories of Maggie: Wow – how hard it is to write about someone so vibrant, so full of life, so seemingly-indestructible as Maggie without being overwhelmed by sadness at her life cut short when there were so many more things to do with the special people in her life. I must have first met Maggie in Kingston in 1986, when I briefly visited to organise my accommodation for my post-doc with Barrie Frost. I met Patrick and his friends, and it was deemed important that I inherit Patrick’s room in the King Street house opposite the lake – it was the location of windsurfers and of many parties, and when Patrick finished his PhD and moved to Montreal, the link to the house risked being broken. My first memories of time with Maggie were shortly after my Kingston visit when Patrick. Tom and Maggie came to stay with me in Josh’s apartment in New York – Patrick was heading off to a conference in Germany, Maggie was heading to the Caribbean for the sailing season, and Tom drove them down from Kingston, and drove me back to Kingston with all my luggage. I remember walking around New York, hearing about Maggie’s sailing adventures and noting her acumen and street-smarts as we avoided being too curious with what turned out to be a mugging involving a gun. Tom and I almost stopped to look, but Maggie saw the gun, steered us away, notified a passing police officer, and we then stopped off for a stiff drink to discuss the whole scenario before heading on to Bleeker Street and some jazz. Maggie was away for the first winter I was in Kingston, but when she returned it was so refreshing to have someone who was outside the university bubble – someone so down-to- earth, so practical, so knowledgeable outside of academia, and so fun. I remember so many little Canadian things that Maggie showed me: summer at a lakeside cottage, cross-country skiing followed by the best ever hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps (made with melted dark chocolate), Christmas trees with real lighted candles and a spray bottle to deal with any stray flames, using a snorkel mask for chopping onions, and so many more. We played soccer together, with Maggie the ever practical central defender when we had delusions of strategy well beyond our skill level - “I just get the ball and kick it forward” which she did routinely, effectively and exuberantly. If something’s worth doing, it’s worth enjoying! However, one of my most enduring warm and happy memories of Maggie is when I visited Tom and Maggie to talk over a very big decision in my life – what to do about the unexpected finding that I was pregnant. We talked about all the various implications and options of this rather surprising situation until finally Maggie broke out into a broad embracing smile and said “Congratulations – you’re going to have a baby!”. Her warmth and excitement gave me immediate confidence – and her summary of the situation was “everything you’ve said tonight shows that you have never really considered anything other than going forward with this – you really want this baby”. I was a bit overwhelmed by the whole idea, but I will always remember how Maggie said “I know a bit about babies – you’ll come and stay at the cottage and we’ll figure it out!”. And we did. She was there with Christine as my birthing support, and it was strangely comforting to hear the wonder and excitement of what she was seeing while I was doing ... “oooh – all the colours!!” was not quite what I was expecting as words of encouragement! But true to her word, I spent the first week or so with my new baby at the cottage and we figured it out. Her calm confidence that it would all work out was such a gift. The three years I spent in Kingston was just a wonderful time, and I’d fully intended to return to Canada regularly to keep in touch. Of course that never quite happened – but we did visit Vancouver in 1991 with Krista. Maggie suggested that John and I take their tank to Vancouver Island, which we did and had a wonderful few days. It was also the year of the big Whistler ski trip catching up with the Kingston crew. And Tom and Maggie came to Australia a couple of times – I particularly remember that we’d just bought our house in Mount Waverley, and I was talking about ripping up all the concrete to make a garden. Maggie, the gardener, surprised me by suggesting we put a nice surface on the concrete rather than growing and maintaining grass. She pointed out that a hard surface would be great for the kids to play ball games and ride bikes etc, and it would be more versatile to use pots to create a garden. It was great advice, although I’m still working on the pots and I think of Maggie whenever I take up my spasmodic gardening efforts. Continued in Part 2...

Kim Morris My Sister Maggie 1972-Maggie’s high school graduation. This photo sat in a frame in my parents’ living room for as long as I can remember. I would do the dusting every Saturday and wonder at how pretty my sister was. 1985 -my champion at my graduation-always the supporter 1981 perhaps-Another Maggie and Kim under the tree. It was always such a treat to have the jet setter home. I loved every minute my sisters were home. 2020 -Maggie was quarantining from covid and the young ones and so Bjorn couldn’t be with us for Thanksgiving . Ever the problem solver, Maggie ordered up turkey and all the fixings for eight from Whole Foods. ‘And voila!’ as Maggie would say - Bjorn was the host with the most. 2017 - Maggie and I on the Kootenay Lake ferry to Crawford Bay for a day of walking the artisan street, roaming the shops and having a beautiful lunch at Black Salt. I have so many memories of epic days and nights out with Maggie-usually with a good bottle of wine or three. 1977 -Maggie just drove up the driveway one day and scooped me up in the car and took me to Banff on a camping trip. I thought I had won the lottery. Days in a row alone with my middle sis. My mother did not need to know about the midnight campfire with the boys in the campsite next door and the bottles of wine. I’m sure it was all very pedestrian but Maggie made it seem like an adventure. ❤️

Chris Gilmour Submitted by Joe Blader, San Antonio Texas It was probably late 1983 when I met Maggie, and I think she was sacrificing quality Caribbean time for the Kingston chill to hang with new boyfriend, a certain Tom Ehmann, presumably intending to judge him to some extent by the company he kept. Fortunately, she was too much in love to pay much attention to the rest of us after all, to Tom’s everlasting benefit. It was maybe October, but there she was in shorts, t-shirt, and seashell and coral bangles on her wrists and ankles, bold, brash, blonde, and beautiful. I sort of knew that people like her existed, but can’t say I had actually gotten to know one. Having just come back from a few months in Nepal and India, I thought I had gained some wisdom about the world and maybe was a wee bit braver than before. But I was, as I think many us were, in for a real education as we got to know this force of nature now in our somewhat nerdy, motley grad-student midst. Even then, was there anything she hadn’t done? Maggie was a living tutorial in zest, determination, independence, self-confidence, generosity, and, well, pure fun. She was opinionated and didn’t suffer fools lightly. But for Maggie, foolishness had more to do with your heart than with your head. If you were self-absorbed, inconsiderate, greedy, out to exploit others or the earth, or were the ‘kick down, kiss up’-type, Maggie had you sussed. If you were the least bit kind, honest, and concerned for anything besides yourself, you had a pal for life. There was, as the saying goes, “no finer friend, no fiercer foe” than Maggie. There has been hardly a day in nearly 40 years that I haven’t reckoned having Tom and Maggie in my life as one of the great blessings anyone could ask for. Losing her now hurts and is wrong on so many levels. Maggie, you even taught us how to face death. We’ll keep muddling along and try to make you proud. You and Tom had one of those epic loves, maybe they’ll make a movie one day. Don’t worry about him too much, we’ll keep looking out for each other, and besides, during those weeks in open ocean you whipped him into phenomenal shape for everything else to come, even this. Forever in our hearts. Joe/Marie Blader Pic #1 Maggie, Tom, Alan and Marie_Gill, Patrick and Janet not far away in Ireland

Tom Ehmann Small World Submitted by Ros Mendelson Ros send me this email and photo describing her meeting Maggie when Ros and I were in Grad School at Queens. The picture shows Mag with her crutches following a knee repair needed after she blew it out jumping waves on a windsurfer. Tom You went back to BC regularly and, in 1983, you came home clearly smitten. You described Maggie to me as this amazing woman and that she was on crutches. You were so happy and your eyes lit up when speaking about her. I then went to BC and, as part of that trip, went up to Whistler with your friend Bernie. I don't remember the circumstances but we were chatting with this man named Ed when this charismatic blonde woman arrived on crutches and i was introduced to.... Maggie. What were the chances. I knew you had met a blonde woman named Maggie in Victoria. We were in Whistler but there likely weren't two Maggies on crutches. So I asked her if she knew you and told her I knew you from Kingston. Maggie reacted with surprise, lit up and wanted to talk with me. We discussed whether or not to go to Kingston. I remember this as a girl talk, sort of like "what do you think", with Maggie both excited and interested, but also having some normal apprehension and showing more vulnerability than I think she would typically show the first time she met someone. I know I was not instrumental in her going to Kingston but I did encourage her to go. It was clear to me then and even clearer to me every time I saw you together, that Maggie was your absolute soul mate. The two of you were so lucky to find each other and build the life you did together.