Margaret Millie (Nicoll) Kinniburgh

KINNIBURGH, Margaret

After a series of complex health conditions, Margaret Millie (Nicoll) Kinniburgh succumbed (her word) to death on Friday, January 13, 2017 at the Edith Cavell Care Centre in Lethbridge.

Born a twin, November 24, 1922, she was very shortly predeceased by her sister, Catherine Frances. Her parents, Phoebe & Bob Nicoll homesteaded near Bindloss, and their little family was completed when Robert Francis joined them in 1925. Margaret’s premature birth, along with farming during the depression, gave her a strong will to survive and the ability to make something from almost nothing.  This creativity (frugality) was expressed in knitting, sewing, cooking, gardening, calligraphy, building friendships, and believing in the possible.  Her life-long friendship with two of her early teachers speaks of how greatly they inspired her; reading being that which would transport her when isolation and disabilities limited her life.  For many years Margaret enjoyed a strong sisterhood through UCW and was always glad to participate in church choirs, social and community activities where she was often the driver for some of the “Older” ladies in the group. Margaret and David Kinniburgh were married August 18, 1954 and had four girls and nearly 54 years together.  Another premature death came when their youngest, Heather Evelyn, died July 31, 1974, exactly 10 years after her Grandpa Carmen Kinniburgh. While Calgary, North Battleford, Airdrie, Delia, Irricana, Drumheller and Lethbridge were all places Margaret made her home, the prairie (as she referred to the Bindloss area) was where she was forever from, and gladly visited family there as long as she was able. Family ties to Ontario were also strong. Margaret took her first airplane trip to Toronto in 1950 in order to visit aunts, uncles and cousins in Stratford and Sarnia, and was sad that she’d never met her Nicoll grandparents prior to their deaths. 

Margaret & Dave made trips coast to coast to coast in Canada, and for many years traveled the triangle from Killam to Fort McMurray to Grande Prairie to visit the girls and their families – Catherine & Dale Sazwan (John & Courtney; Adam & Shawna); Janet & Bob Richardson (Dawn & Ryan; Doug); and Wendy & Les Hilliard (Tyler & Michelle; Sarah & Trudy; Jeff & Ashley). The girls are now living in Grande Prairie, Stettler, and Monarch, respectively; and the grandchildren are spread from Alberta to Newfoundland. Along with the immediate family, she is survived by brother and sister-in-law Jim & Kris Kinniburgh; and sisters-in-law Leona (Ling) Nicoll; Reenee Kinniburgh; and Eileen Kinniburgh; cousins, nephews, nieces, dear friends, peers and caregivers. Predeceased by her sister, daughter and husband, many others have gone before Margaret: her parents Bob & Phoebe (McDonald) Nicoll; in-laws Carmen & Edith (Hawkey) Kinniburgh; brother Francis Nicoll, and nephews Glen & Paul Nicoll; brother & sister-in-law Percy & Marj Kinniburgh.

Margaret’s life and faith will be celebrated at Airdrie United Church, 216 - 1st Ave, Airdrie, AB on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 1:00 pm.

As Margaret was devoted to mission and service, memorial donations to Red Cross, UCW and other church and community service groups, programs or projects would be gratefully appreciated.