January 16, 1945 - November 29, 2018
My best friend and spouse of 57 years passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Cascade Hospice in Chilliwack, the victim of a rare form of leukemia. She battled Parkinson's disease for many years. Her daughter Trace was in attendance and had been by her mother's bedside day and night for more than 8 days. Margaret was 73 years young.
Margaret was born in a home built by her father at the base of Mount Shannon (Little Mountain) next to the then Trans Canada Hwy, now known as Yale Road East. Her parents were Fredrick and Dorathy Ryde, both deceased. Margaret had three brothers, Larry who passed away at eighteen months, Albert who passed away in 2008 and Ronald (Beth) who lives in Penticton. She was proud of her nieces and nephews plus numerous grand nieces and nephews. Margaret had two children, first a son, Roland James Sturt-Smith (Laurel) and daughter Trace Marie Merkel (Bruce). Trace and Bruce blessed Margaret with a grand daughter, Brienne who then added a great granddaughter, Kaelynn.
A funeral celebration and memorial will be held at Henderson's Funeral Home, Victoria Ave., 2 pm on December 19th. All family members and friends are encouraged to attend and her brother Ron will moderate if weather and roads allow. There will be an open mic so bring your memories and laughs to send her on her way. Following the service refreshments will be served.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Parkinson's Society of BC or a charity of your choice. 
Henderson's Funeral Home
Service Details
2:00 PM