Margaret Catherine Manson (née Nickel)

On Wednesday, January 17, 2024 in Ottawa, at the age of 88, in the presence of her loving family. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 66 years, General Paul Manson. Mourned and lovingly remembered by children Bob (Joanne), Cathy (LCol David Wiley), Peter (Pamela), and Karen (Andrew Hanlon), and grandchildren Emily (Todd), Ross, Christopher, Matthew (Samantha), and Willow. Predeceased by her brother Donald (Kay). Margaret was the daughter of the late Oscar and Marion Nickel and was born and raised in Kemptville, Ontario. She graduated from the Kingston General Hospital School of Nursing in 1956 soon after meeting Paul, who was then a cadet at the Royal Military College. They married in 1957, and embarked on a long and happy life of love and adventure. As the wife of an Air Force officer, raising four children and moving every few years for more than three decades, Margaret earned great respect as nurse, superb organizer, hostess, choir director, friend of many, and ideal wife and mother. During this period she cheerfully set up home variously in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, as well as in France and Germany where the family lived for more than ten years and where, incidentally, Margaret became fluent in both French and German. In Chatham, New Brunswick, she founded the Miramichi Choral Society and produced and directed two Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, resulting in her being named Miramichi Lady of the Year in 1976. As the children moved on to university, Margaret entered the working world, initially as the District Director of the Ottawa-Carleton branch of the Canadian Cancer Society. In this capacity, she helped to organize Terry Fox’s historic run through the region. She later became the Executive Director of the Senior Citizens Council of Ottawa. Upon her husband’s retirement from the military, they took up residence in Virginia and then Montreal, before returning to their Ottawa home in 1996, and then to a condominium in 2004 – the last of 29 moves together. It was during this period that Margaret took up golf with the same energy and passion that characterized all her activities. Within a few years she became the Ladies’ Captain at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and later the Ladies’ President. Golf continued to be a major part of her life, notably during the many winter vacations she and Paul spent in warmer climates. During 2010-2012, she served as the President of the Ottawa Women’s Canadian Club. She was an enthusiastic bridge player and was in many bridge clubs, and was a superb organizer of countless large events of various kinds. Margaret Manson will be remembered as a warm-hearted, loving and caring person whose positive outlook affected all who knew her. Above all, she was a wonderful wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, January 25, 5-7 pm, and a memorial service on Friday, January 26, 1 pm, both at Beechwood Cemetery (280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa, ON). Reception will follow at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice in Margaret’s memory.