Margaret Henrietta McNeice

Margaret Henrietta McNeice (nee Hynds)
August 4, 1939 – October 2, 2025
It is with deep sadness and much love that we announce the passing of our “Ma”, Margaret (Etta) on October 2, 2025 in White Rock, B.C. She passed away with her daughter, Diane, holding on firmly to her hand at her bedside.
Margaret was predeceased by her beloved husband, Thomas McNeice (Nat), in April 2006. She was also predeceased by her older sister Beryl Jefferson and her youngest brother, Ian Hynds.
Margaret is survived by her daughter, Diane Johnston, son-in-law Don, grandson Thomas, granddaughter Jessica (Steve) and her great-granddaughters Victoria (Tori) and Emily. She is also survived by her brothers Mervyn Hynds (Molly) and Ronald Hynds (Leslie) and her many nieces and nephews.
Margaret was born in 1939 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. This was the year World War II began and some of her first memories were of her Mickey Mouse gas mask, black-out curtains and taking refuge under her home’s staircase listening to the bomb-laden German planes travelling down the River Lagan heading for the Belfast shipyards.
In 1958 she met Nat, and they were married soon after. This was swiftly followed by the arrival of their only child, Diane in 1959.
In 1969, “The Troubles” started up again in Northern Ireland and barricades in neighbourhoods went up overnight. This prompted Margaret and Nat to make the difficult decision to leave their homeland. In March of 1969, Margaret, Nat and Diane immigrated to Canada and settled in the Dunbar area of Vancouver where Margaret’s family had relocated in years prior.
Upon arrival in Canada, Margaret soon found employment at BC Tel. She LOVED her career with the telephone company as well as the many friends she made over her years there. Some of her most cherished moments came during the 1980s/90s when Margaret was instrumental in providing summer jobs to countless young students. Some of those young people went on to make BC Tel their long-term career employer.
In the 1970’s, Margaret and Nat bought their very first house in Tsawwassen. With this purchase began a lifelong habit (or some think addiction) of renovating a home and then moving, which they did 27 times until Nat’s passing. Margaret then moved two more times for good measure. Some believed this was the Irish gypsy spirit alive in both of them.
The 1990s brought retirement for Margaret. This allowed her to spend greater time with her grandchildren, Thomas and Jessica, whom she adored. She told them stories about Ireland, her life and her experiences. She also taught them Northern Irish “sayings” that to this day they repeat and use appropriately while not really knowing why.
In 2018, Margaret suffered a stroke and required full time care. She went on to survive Covid, two broken arms and a shattered hip but decided on October 2, she had had enough. While we will miss Ma forever, we are hopeful she is reunited with Nat, her “everlasting love.”
Margaret was clear that she wanted “no fuss” after she passed and we will honour her wishes.
Rest easy now Ma.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Margaret Henrietta McNeice, please visit our flower store.