In Memory of

Margaret

Duncan

Obituary for Margaret Duncan

Duncan,
Margaret
Almonte, Ontario
Born on May 2, 1924
Died on March 24, 2022
On March 24, 2022, Margaret Duncan concluded her long, prosperous and healthy life. In her 98th year, Margaret was a successful businesswoman, an elected municipal official, a community fundraiser, a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, cousin and friend.
Predeceased by husbands Raymond Hugh Duncan and Stanley Brunton; sister Penelope Klinck; and brother John M. Gilchrist. She will be missed by her companion, Jack Hayes.
Survived by her children Isabel Metcalfe (Herb Metcalfe), Pennie Eagen (Pat Eagen), Kathy Duncan, Allan Duncan (Tammy Connors), Christine Moses (Darcy Moses); her grandchildren Julie Metcalfe (Tim O’Malley), Dan Metcalfe (Mandy Metcalfe), Dr. Kathleen Metcalfe, Elizabeth Eagen (Trevor McKay), Allison Eagen (Brad Hewton), Charlotte Eagen (Colin MacKenzie), Andrew Eagen (Katie Kelly), Jonas Vaskas (Nicola Swanby), Tessa Vaskas (Tyler Stanton), Chris Duncan (Sidney Morgan), Connor Duncan (Annie Bergeron-Oliver), Taylor Duncan (Brandon Watt), Josh Goodwin, Tom Moses, Jack Moses (Courtney Bradley); and her great grandchildren Grace O’Malley, Maisie O’Malley, Scarlett O’Malley, Maeve Metcalfe, Ryan McKay, Isaac McKay, James Hewton, Norah Hewton and Hazel Hewton.
Margaret graduated from Teachers College in Hamilton and taught in rural Ontario. Her first classroom had 32 students ranging from grades one to eight. In 1951, she married Hugh Duncan and they began Duncan’s Poultry Farm in Almonte, Ontario. Together they built a business that ran for forty years, and secured egg markets throughout Eastern Ontario.
In 1974, she was the first woman to be elected to Ramsay Township Council, and in 1994, she became the first female Warden of Lanark Country. She loved her community, she served it well and never lost a municipal election – usually topping the polls.
When Hugh Duncan died in 1995, Margaret transitioned from municipal politics to become a sought after community volunteer, including a board member at the Carleton Place Memorial Hospital and the Almonte General Hospital. She became a champion fundraiser for the Almonte General Hospital receiving the Senior of the Year Award in 1997 and the Bert McIntyre Memorial Fundraising Award in 2020.
Her belief in God, her love of music, flowers, people and travel sustained her throughout her active and vibrant life. A life-long member of the Liberal Party of Canada, she followed politics, the stock market, international affairs, public policy, and of course, fashion. She stayed current with technology and embraced online banking when she was 75, using it daily until her mid-90s. Margaret was generous with her experience and her approach. She was an angel investor to local businesses and a mentor to hundreds of men and women, especially people seeking public office.
As a nation builder, Margaret Duncan will be remembered for her kind and tolerant views, her inclusivity and her love of life.
Her family invites everyone to attend her celebration of life on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at the Almonte United Church 106 Elgin Street. A reception will follow at the Almonte Old Town Hall at 3:00pm, 14 Bridge St.
Donations may be made to the Almonte United Church and the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to C. R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel Inc. (127 Church St., Almonte, ON. 613-256-3313)
Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com