Margaret Louise Westad (nee Dzaman) passed away Friday, June 15, 2018, in Chilliwack Hospice, 18 months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Margaret passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family.

She was born in Grande Prairie on January 6, 1946, the youngest child of Nick and Kathleen Dzaman. She grew up in Grande Prairie and Wembley with sisters Doreen, Eileen and Betty, and brother Bud. Nick Dzaman ran the auto repair garage in Wembley for many years.

Mom always thought she’d marry Elvis Presley, but then she met Dennis Westad at a Grande Prairie Fair in the early ‘60s and forgot all about Elvis. Dennis and Margaret married in 1962, and she loved him her entire life. Her last movement on the day she died was to lift her arms to hug him.

They raised three children: Kim (Adrian), David and Derek. The family lived in several places throughout northern Alberta and British Columbia, following Dennis’s career in trucking. In 1972, they moved to Quesnel, where the family lived for 15 years. Margaret and Dennis moved to the Lower Mainland after the children left home, living in Langley, Chilliwack and finally Agassiz. Margaret and Dennis enjoyed getting to live in different parts of the province.

Margaret worked for 18 years as an office administrator at Finning, where she made long-lasting friendships. She loved her chats with Glenda until her last days.

Margaret was devoted to her family, especially her grandsons Nick, Brett and Braedan. She was proud of their accomplishments but prouder still that they are growing into kind and hard-working young men.

Mom loved the simple things in life. She had a great sense of humour and loved kibbitzing with her son-in-law Adrian. A good laugh, a cone on the beach at Harrison with Dennis and watching her grandsons Nick and Brett play football made a lovely day.

Margaret loved the many family trips to Green Lake and her trip with Dennis to Playa del Carmen. She often visited her sisters in Grande Prairie over the years and was a regular at Betty’s home at Emerald Gardens.

She was an extremely loyal and generous person who always put others ahead of herself. She had a kind nature to all, including the many beloved pets over the years.

Margaret is survived by her husband Dennis and their three children, her grandchildren and extended family.

She was predeceased by her parents and siblings.

She loved reminiscing about the “old days” with Colleen, Greg and Gary Purves and Darcy and Larry Rautenstrauch, who weren’t only niece and nephews, but also dear friends.

In Margaret’s memory, please do something thoughtful and kind for someone, as she did so many days of her life.

We invite friends and family to join us at a Celebration of Margaret’s Life on Sunday, July 1, 2018 at 1:00pm, at Oliver’s Funeral Home in Grande Prairie (10005 107 Ave.). Interment at Lake Saskatoon Cemetery will follow.