Margo Emilia Lee (Huber)

With great sadness we announce the passing of our mother, Margo Lee, age 97 – just a little short of her goal of 100 years!

Margo is forever remembered by her sons Brian, Bruce (Michele), daughter-in-law Michele Mallet, grandsons Patrick, and Robert (Leslie), great-grandchildren Ally and Annie, cousin Suzanne McDowell, and European family Gabi (Peter) Sass, Ilsa, and Bastian (Linda), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  Margo was predeceased by her parents, all her brothers and sisters, and her eldest son, David.

Margo was born in 1920 in Raymore, SK, to Margarethe [Strobel] and George Huber who had immigrated to Canada from Austria. The youngest of five children, Margo retained a “nothing is impossible” personality her whole life. The family later moved to Melville, SK, when her father assumed the job of maintenance engineer at the local train station. In her late teens, she moved to Winnipeg to work as a domestic for a doctor, and then in a variety of positions in customer service. She met our father, Charlie, in 1948, was married in 1949, and eventually separated in 1959, moving herself and three sons to Calgary to start a new life. In 1967 she married Lev Baddeley and enjoyed a whole new adventure, living riverside on Bow Crescent in Bowness with activities that included hosting parties for their social clubs, large family dinners, gardening and befriending Polynesian entertainers who performed at the Tiki Tiki nightclub. Mom was actively involved with son Bruce’s Jaycees organization and son Brian’s Toastmasters clubs, and became an enthusiastic volunteer for Brian’s multiple election campaigns. Upon becoming single again in 2000, she bought a condo at Dream View Village. As her health declined due to a stroke in 2003, she resided at Boardwalk Retirement Community, and the last 30 months at Wentworth Manor.

Margo lived life to the full. With a lifelong passion for ice skating, she performed with a Manitoba semi-professional Ice dancing touring group during the 1950s, later joined a Calgary senior’s skating club, and was an avid fan and resident expert on televised skating competitions. She enjoyed entertaining seniors, becoming widely known for her Hawaiian Poi Ball dancing. She loved singing, performed with an amateur opera group, was active with Sherry Kennedy’s singing shows, and became known as the Karaoke Queen in many Calgary clubs. At age 82, Margo perfected a stand-up comedy routine and won the Cheers Project award for best new comedian. She enjoyed traveling all over the world with sons and grandsons, visiting her European relatives with son Bruce on several occasions, and enjoying a month-long speaking tour of Australia and New Zealand with son Brian.

A Celebration of Margo’s Life will be held at the Bowness Seniors’ Centre, 6422 35 Avenue NW, Sunday, July 22 at 2:00 pm with reception to follow.

We are grateful to the exceptional caregivers at Wentworth Manor who provided loving support to mom, as well as her special care provider, Heather.