It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Margaret Christina Longmate (aka Nanny), resident of Grande Prairie, AB, on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at 97 years young. Margaret passed away with the same strength and humility with which she lived her life. She did not like goodbyes. She left this world in her own time and on her own terms, after a very brief illness. We all find comfort knowing Nanny lived a loving, healthy, and happy life.

Margaret was born in Drumheller, AB, on March 15, 1925, to parents Alexander and Margaret Anderson. She was the youngest of three children, being considerably younger than her two brothers, Weston and Thomas. They affectionately nicknamed her “Babe”. Babe was the apple of their eye. They doted upon their little sister.

She married childhood friend and love of her life, Charles Leslie (Les) Longmate, on April 26, 1950, in Drumheller. As newlyweds they moved north to Grande Prairie where they invested in their future, establishing a car dealership still operating as Windsor Ford.

Margaret had a gentle acceptance for what she could not control; she chose to start each day focussing on the bright side. Nothing demonstrated Margaret’s determination to look on the sunny side more than the first year she lived in Grande Prairie when it snowed every single month of the year. That first long winter led to the birth of her first-born Janet Isabel, followed in due course by Christina Evelyn, Charles Alexander, and then, making their family complete, the arrival of Margaret Lesley. Margaret and Leslie raised their four children to appreciate the significance of establishing strong roots, and the importance and impact of contributing to community. Margaret led by example, devoting much of her time to the IODE, the former Grande Prairie Association for the Mentally Handicapped, Al-Anon, Meals on Wheels, the Next to New Shop, Explorers at St. Paul’s United Church, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada. Margaret was a successful business owner, co-owning Wigs, Rings & Things in the Towne Centre Mall with her dear friend Donna George.

She had an adventurous spirit and never missed an opportunity to travel the world, or find something on sale, preferably at the same time. Some of her most memorable destinations were England, Scotland, Africa, Fiji, South America, and several camping trips to Alaska. Although, she didn’t need to travel too far to visit the places closest to her heart. Margaret raised her kids and half of the neighbourhood kids at their Sturgeon Lake cabin in the days before power and plumbing. She was at home with family in Sylvan Lake and Maui. There was no place she would rather be than high on the hillside in her beloved Peachland home. Margaret was happiest outdoors, close to nature, and near water. She loved to swim, sunny days with a lake view, to curl up with a good book, or play a competitive game of cards or Scrabble. She was an avid sports fan and didn’t miss a curling game or a tennis match. You knew her favourite sports weren’t on if she had settled for watching darts or poker on TV.

She lived her sense of community with grace, humility, generosity, and kindness. She was a humble woman who found happiness in the simple pleasures of life. Christmas mornings, beautiful flowers, and hummingbirds at the feeder were but a few of her favourite things. She was never happier than when she had a house full of family and friends. Margaret was an excellent cook and hostess, her door was always open, and she made everyone feel welcome, accepted, and important. Nothing said “I Love You” more than a batch of Nanny’s homemade shortbread. The heirloom recipe exemplified Nanny. It was short and sweet, just like her! Her home was the nucleus where family and friends would gather, and cherished memories were made. Nanny was “Home”, and everyone felt “at home” with Nanny.

Nanny’s heart was selfless, her acts of service were generous, and her accomplishments were many. She would say her greatest joy was, without hesitation, her family. She devoted much of her life to caring for her cherished daughter Evelyn and beloved husband Leslie, as they faced health challenges. Margaret lived a life of fulfilled opportunity that she shared with her family and friends. Her life will not end with her death; it will live on, fulfilled through the legacy of virtues and values she has left behind in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Left to mourn are her family (who thought she would live forever) - her children: Janet Longmate (Doug Kerr), Charles Longmate (Karen), and Margie Allan (Doug); her grandchildren: Tina Nelson (Craig), Rob Thomlinson, Jane Schotz (Christian), Jordan Longmate, Andrew Allan (Jemma), Colby Longmate (Ann), Kate Latos (Adam), Carson Longmate (Katrina), and Scott Allan (Janelle); and her 18 great-grandchildren; as well as nephews Bruce and Keith Anderson. A special mention of life-long friends: Jean Payne, Rob and Cecile Neil and family, and Donna and Tom Cummins; as well as many more close family and friends.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Charles Leslie (Les) Longmate; daughter Christina Evelyn Thomlinson; father Alexander (Sandy) Anderson; mother Margaret Jane Anderson; brothers Weston Anderson and Thomas Anderson; sister in-law Evelyn Anderson; as well as nephew Ted Anderson. A special word of appreciation and gratitude to Margaret’s physician and dear friend Dr. James Pope, and to Margaret’s caregiver Marilyn Schauber.

At Margaret’s request, there will be a private gathering in her honour at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a random act of kindness in memory of Nanny; or a Memorial Donation may be made to Children’s Therapeutic Clown Program (https://shop.gphospitalfoundation.ca/products/the-gift-of-friendship-therapeutic-clown-program), or to Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of Canada (https://crohnsandcolitis.donorportal.ca/Donation/InMemory.aspx?L=en-CA&G=159&F=1099&T=INMEM).