Margaret Head, resident of Grande Prairie, AB, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 31, 2022, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, surrounded by her loving family at the age of 93 years.

Margaret was born to Frederica and Robert Habkirk in Calgary, AB, and later moved to Olds, AB, where her early years were filled with wonderful memories of family, spending many days at Gull Lake and Lacombe. She attended the Olds School of Agriculture in 1946, then off to the University of Alberta for a year, and finally completed her degree in Home Economics specializing in Dietetics at the University of Manitoba in 1950. Some of Marg’s dearest lifelong friendships were forged during these years.

Marg was a woman ahead of her time, courageous and determined. After graduation, she was the head dietitian at the Hudson’s Bay in Edmonton, AB, but when they told her that women couldn’t be managers, she quit! She worked for the Department of Agriculture judging fairs all over the country. She taught in Vermilion, AB, Kelowna, BC, and Olds, had a radio program, as well as spoke and demonstrated at farm women’s conventions.

In 1953, Marg married her best friend and the love of her life, Ken Head. Ken worked for Hughes Tool Company, and they spent the next 10 years living in Olds, Rimbey, Swift Current, Fort McLeod, Pincher Creek, Calgary, Fort St. John and finally Grande Prairie in 1963. Ken promised that if they would stay for 2 years and Marg didn’t like it, they would move back south. Of course, Grande Prairie would be home for the rest of their lives.

Marg worked at the QEII Hospital as a dietitian for a few years and then opened “The Pepper Pot” restaurant with her daughter, Joanne for 10 years. It was a rewarding venture as many clients became good friends.

Marg was an avid curler, enjoyed golfing and loved downhill skiing. Some of the fondest memories were from Marmot Basin in Jasper, AB, a yearly trip with family and friends.

But her biggest passion in life was always her family. For 32 years, Marg and Ken had a cabin (Headquarters) in the Shuswap. The cabin became a stopping point for many friends and especially for family, where the children and then the grandchildren had the best vacations every year. All her children and later her grandchildren, were involved in sports. There wasn’t an arena, a gymnasium, or a ballpark in the country that you wouldn’t find Marg and Ken cheering on their kids.

Marg was a kind and compassionate soul. We are all grateful for her loving and generous spirit. She was truly interested in the people around her, always up to date on the news and current events and passionate about sports and politics. Marg and Ken travelled extensively to Japan, Norway, England, Scotland, Russia, Switzerland, all over Canada and the US.

Marg is survived and will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 69 years Ken; children Gord Head (Cheryl), Joanne Porta (Mark), and Jim Head (Susan); grandchildren: Jennifer Hughes (Blake), Stacey Petrie (Clay), Bobby Head (Amelie), Chris Porta (Cristi), Tom Porta (Allyson), Tim Porta (Erin), Kate Scheideman (John), Zoe Head, and Sam Head; great-grandchildren: Wyatt and Harper Hughes, Bird and Louisa Porta, Isla and Harrison Porta, and Jack and Hank Scheideman; as well as her sister Betty Nesselbeck.

Marg was predeceased by her son Thomas Head; daughter Heather Head; brother Bob Habkirk, and sister Marion Parkins.

The family would like to acknowledge the kindness and care of her family physician Dr. Daniel Prada, and all the wonderful staff at Prairie Lakes and the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.

Marg’s Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Her final resting place will be in the Field Garden at the Grande Prairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations in honor of Margaret Head can be directed to Odyssey House Women’s Center (P.O. Box 1395, Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 4Z2), or to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/16974/donation.