Margaret Helen Whitby (née Jerwood) died peacefully at home on Sept. 26, 2022. Margaret was 97 years old. Predeceased by her husband James in 2016. Much-loved and forever missed by her children Elizabeth, Peter (Barb) and Rachel (Steve). Lovingly remembered and treasured by her grandchildren Jonathan, Peter, Greg, Christy and their partners. Great-grandmother of Brooke, Brie and Alexa Margaret, who loved visiting Great-Granny Margaret. Loving sister of Jean (deceased 2017) and Jim. Much-loved Aunt, she was the last of her generation in the Whitby family and used to love visiting and being visited by her many nieces and nephews. One nephew has written that Margaret was very generous in spirit, was kind and had an unassuming grace.
As an 11-year-old, she went to boarding school in Yorkshire and then during the war, she went to Cambridge University to study medicine, graduating in 1948. After marrying Jim the same year, they settled down and had three children while Margaret worked part time.
Jim and Margaret emigrated to Canada in 1971. After requalifying, Margaret continued her medical career working in the Public Health Family Planning Clinic and the Pain Clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital for 20 years.
Margaret had a great love of music which she and Jim shared. During her first pregnancy, she learned to play the cello, which became a lifelong love, playing in orchestras and playing chamber music. In London, Ont., they established a regular string quartet with close friends that they continued for the rest of their lives. Margaret's close friend in the string quartet has written to our family about how much those wonderful sessions of music meant to her and how she cherished her friendship.
Margaret was a founding member of the Fanshawe College Orchestra in the 1970s, which became the London Community Orchestra. At that time she became the volunteer manager, continuing in that role while playing in the orchestra for almost 40 years.
During holidays to Europe over many years, she and Dad collected a large quantity of antiquarian music which was for them to play, but it has now been donated to the Western Music Library as the Drs. Whitby Music Collection. After hearing about Margaret's death, the director of the library wrote, "I especially appreciate your mother's concern that the books and scores be useful to new generations of musicians. Margaret wanted them to share in the magic of music-making with others."
Mum loved her home and garden and enjoyed nothing more than when her friends could come over and enjoy tea and interesting conversations. She maintained a steadfast love for her children which seemed to grow as she aged. We will miss her deeply and wish her a peaceful rest. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Margaret's memory to the London Community Orchestra. Margaret was truly thankful for all her caregivers and the care she received. She was very grateful for the life she had lived and was content staying in her home until the end of her life.