Obituary of Marguerite Elizabeth PICKEN

Marguerite Elizabeth Picken (nee. Stocker, Blair) of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully at Mayfair Care Centre on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the age of 100 years. Marguerite’s first job was as a teacher in northern Manitoba. In 1945, having saved enough money, she enrolled at the University of Toronto for Occupational Therapy, where she met many lifelong friends. Upon completion of her training, Marg came to Calgary as an Occupation Therapist in 1947. She worked at the San and then at the Colonel Belcher DVA Hospital. In the fall of 1965, Marguerite embarked on a new career; she taught grade 2 at the Sunalta Elementary School. In 1949 Marg met Alex Blair and they married in 1950. They had their first son Dan in January 1953 and Peter in July 1955. Marguerite lost her husband, Alex in 1965. She remarried fourteen years later to Hugh Picken, inheriting three more sons, Jim, Doug, and John. Marguerite was a member of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church since 1947; many friendships formed from her involvement with the church. She was an enthusiastic gardener, cook and quilter; she enjoyed knitting dolls and donating them to the Children’s Cottage. Marguerite is survived by sons Dan in Toronto, and Peter in Thailand; Stepsons Jim, Doug, and John; Sister Norma in Kitchener; cousins Edith Walton and Norman Denmark; as well as nephews, nieces, and their children. Marguerite was predeceased by husbands, Alex Blair (1965) and Hugh Picken (1980); and sisters, Nan and Dot. Funeral Services will be held at St. Stephen's Anglican Church, 1121- 14th Ave S.W. on Friday, February 17, 2017 at 2:00p.m. Please forward condolences through www.calgarycrematorium.com If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the St. Stephen’s Anglican Church,1121 - 14th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB, Telephone: (403) 244-4879, www.ststephenscalgary.org or to The Children’s Cottage, http://childrenscottage.ab.ca The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Mayfair Care Centre and to Cathy Liddle for their warm care, support and friendship in Marguerite’s last years.