Margaret Shirley (Darker) Ardill

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our mother, Margaret Ardill of Chagrin Falls, OH on Monday, August 31st, in her 98th year.

A native of the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Margaret graduated from Macdonald College (McGill) and taught school in Montreal before marrying her beloved husband of almost fifty-six years, the late Gerald, following his discharge from the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm at the end of the Second World War.

She was the loving mother of Ian (Hanica), David (Joanne) and Stephen (Kelly Anne), grandmother of seven – Matthew, Natasha, Nicholas, Jordan, Kyle, Paige and Griffin – and great grandmother of Alexis.

After years spent traveling the world with Gerry’s work, Margaret and Gerry finally settled in Chagrin Falls in 1984, where they would live out their retirement in a wonderfully welcoming community, surrounded by many friends.

Margaret was a devoted member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church for over thirty-six years, serving on the Altar Guild, the Calling Committee and on the Bookshop Committee. She worked on the Decorating Committee of The Sassy Cat for many years and, with her husband, delivered Meals on Wheels. She was a thirty-year volunteer and Coordinator of Volunteers for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile and she was a long-time member of the Chagrin Valley Woman’s Club and the Cat’s Den Garden Club. In 2010, Margaret was honored as the Community Volunteer of the Year.

A passionate reader and bridge player, Margaret was happiest when she was digging in her garden.

Margaret’s love of life, her family and her friends and her generosity to those less fortunate will always be remembered. We love you, Mom, and we’ll miss you.

As was always her way, a few comments from Mom, who never let an opportunity slip by to have the last word!

“Our boys tell me that I am tough, feisty, opinionated and independent and I am fiercely proud of our children. I had to be all those things to survive the Great Depression and the terrible, proud years of World War II, and I feel so privileged to be one of the last survivors of The Greatest Generation.”

In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s memory would be gratefully received by St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

A celebration of Margaret’s life will be scheduled at a future date. Arrangements by Stroud~Lawrence Funeral Home Chagrin Falls, OH. www.stroudlawrence.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Margaret Shirley (Darker) Ardill, please visit our floral store.