Margaret Stella (Elke) King Obituary
It is with love and sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Stella King (née Elke), who passed away peacefully at Perley Heath Veterans Residence on January 31, 2025, at the age of 90.
Margaret was born in 1934 in Kandahar, Saskatchewan, to Walter and Marie Elke (née Braitenbach). She was the beloved wife of Robert Norman Rufus King (Bob), who predeceased her by 10 years, almost to the day.
Margaret is survived by her children Karen King (Marvin), Elaine Rowlands (Bill) and Graeme King (Lily) as well as her dear sister Joyce Didur. She was a loving family matriarch to her 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob, her son, Kevo (Kevin), her parents, Walter and Marie and her sisters, Sylvia Kohut and Verna Trowbridge.
Margaret grew up in Saskatoon with her sisters and was known for her athletic and adventurous spirit. She was an avid softball and basketball player, curler and cross-country skier, who embraced life with energy and enthusiasm.
In April 1953, near the end of the Korean War, when she was just 18 years old, Margaret joined the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service - the “Wrens”. She trained at CFB Cornwallis in Nova Scotia before beginning her work as a morse code special operator. While serving in the Navy, she met Bob, the love of her life, whom she married in 1956. In 1976, Margaret began her second career, in intelligence, with the Communications Security Establishment as a transcriber, serving Canada with dedication until her retirement in 1995.
Margaret will be remembered for her strength, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to her family and country. Her warmth, humor, kindness and adventurous spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew her, including the wonderful staff at Perth Health in Ottawa.
A celebration of life will be held at the Perth Legion at a later date (26 Beckwith St E, Perth, ON K7H1B5). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Perley Health Foundation.
