HARTY
Margaret Elizabeth
Margaret Elizabeth Harty (nee Laughton), beloved wife of John B. “Ben” Harty, of Red Deer, Alberta, passed away on March 23, 2011 at the Uof A Hospital, at the age of 80 years, from a very brief battle with cancer. She was the loving mother of four sons and one daughter; Timothy Harty of Red Deer, Terril (Toni) Harty of Calgary, Jordan Harty of Airdrie, Jocelyn ( Dean) Will of Calgary, and Mitchell (Jennifer) of Kevisville; and the grandmother to eight grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Helen McKee and family. Margaret was predeceased by her father Wilbert Laughton, her mother Mary Laughton (nee Price) and her brother William Laughton. Margaret was born at Granum, Alberta on March 6, 1931. She attended school at Roselawn County School for four years, and then continued her education in Granum. While attending the University of Calgary, Margaret’s summer employment allowed her the opportunity to meet life-long friends. After leaving the University of Calgary, she taught at Hoping and Milk River. She married Ben in 1953. They farmed in the Hoping area and then moved the family to Rumsey in 1961. Margaret was very active member in the Rumsey community. She taught part-time in Rumsey, and was a bookkeeper for the Rumsey Catholic Church. Margaret was fortunate to display her love and music as an organist with the church. Margaret became more involved within the church community as a member of the Parish Church Council and Pastoral Care. Also to her credit, Margaret was recognized for teaching inmates at the Drumheller Penitentiary. She was a member of the Big Valley Royal Purple and loved participating in the Rumsey “Red Deer River” Garden Club. With Ben away working on the rigs, Margaret’s greatest enjoyment would be to load the kids in the car and visit Ben wherever he was. At one time Ben was in New Brunswick with the rig and Margaret, along with the three youngest, spent a wonderful month in the Maritimes. Margaret and Ben decided to retire from the farm, and in 2000 they moved into Red Deer. Margaret became an active member with the Catholic Women’s League, and also volunteered with Loaves & Fishes. She enjoyed bingo, crib-playing and pot-lucks within the Waskasoo Community. Margaret and Ben loved their bus trips to the United States, BC, Southern Alberta and the Mystery Tours. Her last major trip with Ben was to Alaska. A funeral mass will be held for Margaret Harty at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6 McMillan Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s memory may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta T4R 3S6. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at eventide@arbormemorial.com.
Arrangements entrusted to
EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPELS
4820 - 45th Street, Red Deer.
Phone (403) 347-2222.
