Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth Lalonde

LALONDE, Margaret Elizabeth — age 68 of Kentville, NS passed away peacefully on September 26, 2016 in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville, NS after a long struggle with cancer. Born March 6, 1948 in Pingjum, Holland Marg was born in Pingjum, Holland, she was the daughter of the late Broer Koelmans and Jeltje (Jenny) Van den Brink. At the age of 3 she, her 7 siblings and parents migrated to Canada in Aug, 1951 where they settled in Ontario on a farm to start a new life. Striving for a better life for her own family she went back to college at age 30 to obtain her social work degree and had a dedicated career in the field until she retired. After retirement she continued to enjoy; hiking, camping, skiing, church, helping her many friends, crafts, getting great deals at consignors, annual summer drives to Ontario to visit family, a glass of red wine, diverse food and summer fires. Always a vibrant personality where ever she landed and a comedian whether intended or not. She has touched so many lives, left positive vibes with her kind acts and courage throughout her life and most notably her recent illnesses. She was dearly loved by her family and made an impression within the church and the local communities. She will be missed and her precious granddaughters will miss their beloved "Ganny" but we all carry a piece of her in the memories we hold which will see us through. She leaves her daughter Tanya Rafuse and her husband Roger; her son Todd Lalonde and his wife Trudy; granddaughters Autum and Lilyanne Rafuse and Holly and Rachel Lalonde; her siblings Jenny (Jeltje) Wheeler and her husband Daniel, Regina Blohon and her husband Rudy, Veronica MacDougall, Stuart (Sjoerd) and his wife Claire, Wilfrieda Deschamps and her husband Fred, Walter (Wouter) and his wife Rossvida, Mary McCuaig, Audrey Wannamaker and her husband Paul and John and his wife Kathy. She also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded by death by her father Broer Koelmans and mother Jeltje (Jenny) Van den Brink. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Lindsay Annapolis Valley Funeral Home & Chapels, 34 Coldbrook Village Park Dr (902-679-2822). Funeral Service to be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kentville, Saturday, Oct 1, 2016 at 1:00pm. Memorial donations may be made to the St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kentville.