Obituary of Margaret McLellan-Vair

McLELLAN-VAIR, Margaret, Halifax/Middle Musquodoboit/Stewiacke. The death occurred of Margaret McLellan on November 22, 2015 at Musquodoboit Valley Memorial Hospital. Margaret, who was born on June 8, 1921, was the daughter of the late J. Douglas and Claire (Strickland) Vair. She was predeceased by her husband Keith and brothers, Stewart Vair and Doctor Donald Vair. Margaret was educated in the Halifax public school system, the Halifax Ladies College, Branksome Hall School for Girls in Toronto and Mount Allison University in Sackville, NB. It was there that Donald and Margaret made “history” being the only brother and sister to have ever been elected as president and vice president of their class. In her younger years Margaret enjoyed competitive sports such as swimming, tennis, basketball, skiing and ground hockey. During her years as a member of the Junior League she volunteered her time five mornings a week at the Children’s Hospital, and three afternoons at the seniors get together, which were held in the building on the Wanders Grounds. For many years she was also the assistant editor of the Junior League magazine “The Dolphin’s Tale”. For over six years, from the first Saturday in September to the last Saturday in June, Margaret and many other ladies, volunteered their time teaching handicapped seniors oil painting. These classes were sponsored by the John Stewart Chapter of the I.O.D.E., with the Walter Callow bus providing the transportation to and from these classes. While residing in Middle Musquodoboit Margaret, for over 10 years, was the local correspondent for the Truro Weekly Record. Margaret had many interesting hobbies such as knitting, needlepoint, gardening, bird watching and bridge. She was a wonderful correspondent to many of her friends as well as being an avid reader. She was a skilled conversationalist and was a woman of her word, reliable, generous, steadfast and true. She was a philanthropist who shunned publicity like the plague. She was the largest single donator to Kings-Edgehill school in Windsor, donating over three million dollars in memory of her husband Keith who attended the school when it was known as Kings Collegiate. Margaret was a Honorary member of the Board of Governors of Kings-Edgehill School. She also donated one million dollars to Brigadoon Village which is situated in the Annapolis Valley. As well Margaret was a regular donor to her favorite charities and to close friends who were living on fixed incomes. Margaret will be remembered for her numerous jokes, her exceptional quick sense of humour and her very active mind. She was never at a loss for words. At the request of the deceased there will be no visitation or service. Margaret will be cremated, and her remains will be interred next to those of her husbands in the Vair plot in Camp Hill cemetery at a later date. If you wish to make a monetary donation in her name, please consider Brigadoon Children’s Camp Society, 2057 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS B3K 3B2, Hope for Wildlife, 5909 Highway 207, Seaforth, NS B0J 1N0, or the Bide Awhile Animal Shelter Society, 67 Neptune Crescent, Dartmouth NS B2Y 0B6. Condolences, words of comfort and memories of Margaret may be shared at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com