DIAMOND, Margaret Irene (Nee Mooney)

It is with sadness we tell you that Margaret Irene Diamond passed away peacefully July 18, 2018 at the age of 89. Margaret was born March 27, 1929 in Galetta, Ontario to Roy and Irene Mooney. When she was four she moved to Flin Flon, Manitoba when her Dad took a position with the Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company.

As a young woman Margaret worked in the payroll department at the HBMS. She loved to curl and speed skate with her friends and she also loved to dance. It was at the Saturday night dance that she met her future husband, a handsome RCMP constable named Boyd Diamond.

Boyd and Margaret married September 18, 1952 and went on to have three children; Grant, Reid and Dallas. Boyd’s career in the RCMP lead to several postings throughout Manitoba which meant the family moved often. Margaret was not only adept at packing up and moving a family of five, but she often answered the phone and radio at the detachment when Boyd was out on call. Unofficially running the detachment was part and parcel of being the wife of a Mountie. In 2013 the RCMP officially recognized this work and Margaret was among the many women presented with a certificate at the “When the Second Man Was a Woman” ceremony held at Fort Calgary.

When Boyd retired from the RCMP and moved his family to Calgary, Margaret embarked upon a career with the Bank of Montreal working in several different branches throughout the southwest corner of the city.

A member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Past President of the Kinette Club of Steinbach, Margaret also served as a leader in several United Church Women’s groups. She was a passionate supporter of amateur figure skating and was actively involved with the Brandon and Calalta Figure Skating Clubs. Margaret created several successful ice-dancing programs for the Calalta Figure Skating Club. She was also an ice dancing judge.

Margaret loved flowers and she became known for her beautiful hanging baskets. She could sew and upholster anything, and she also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and quilting.
She was known for her keen wit, magnificent baking, (Her all-butter pie crusts were THE BEST!) and her love of hosting friends and family at home with Boyd. Her antipasto was legendary, and she baked rum-laden fruit cakes that people are probably still tipsy from.

Margaret is survived by her son Grant (Judy); her daughter Dallas (Ken Burgess); granddaughter Katrina, daughter-in-law Rebecca Deiderichs, sisters Nelda Witt and Linda (Bob) Preston and brother George (Elaine). Margaret was predeceased by Boyd, her beloved husband of sixty years, son Reid, grandson Christopher, sister Leila, brother Floyd, and her parents.

We owe several lifetimes of gratitude to Jean Murray, Margaret’s long-time care companion, who brought so much joy to Margaret’s life. And we offer our sincere thanks and gratitude to Dr. Thomas Bouchard and the amazing staff at the Father Lacombe Care Centre. Please know that you made a difference in Margaret’s life.

A service will be held to say our final goodbyes on August 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Red Deer Lake United Church in Calgary Alberta. Margaret loved a good party, so we hope you can make it.

Memorial Donations can be made to the Father Lacombe Care Foundation, 270 Providence Blvd, Calgary AB, T2X 0V6

To view and share photos, condolences and stories of Margaret please visit www.choicememorial.com.