BIOGRAPHY

Margaret Cruickshank was born in Dover, Kent, England, on 19 January 1909. In 1913, four-year-old Margaret emigrated to Canada with her parents, Robert John and Bessie Driver, and her three sisters, Grace, Bess, and Mercy. The family settled in Kingston, which remained Margaret’s lifelong home, apart from a brief period spent in British Columbia. At some point, she met and married Sidney Timothy Cruickshank. The couple had three children: her eldest son, David Cruickshank (born in 1937), followed by two more sons, John, and Peter, born in 1940 and 1948. She devoted her life to raising her children and never worked outside the home.

In the early 1980s, Margaret played a key role in founding the Lunch by George program at St. George’s Cathedral in Kingston. This drop-in lunch program initially served sandwiches and later expanded to include hot soups and casseroles on weekdays, providing a vital service to those in need. St. George’s Cathedral was one of Margaret’s favorite places. She attended church every Sunday she could and actively supported the community. When the cathedral required a new heating system, she dedicated herself to assisting with the effort. Margaret also had a deep admiration for the British royal family. Later in life, Margaret discovered a passion for travel. She visited Israel, Germany, France, Switzerland, Bermuda, and her favorite destinations—England and Scotland. Her husband passed away in 1981, and her son Peter passed away in 2017.

During her centenarian years, she broke her hip at some point, and in August 2016, at the age of 107, she broke the other one. Doctors were certain she would never walk again, but she defied expectations. Using a walker, she could still manage short distances by her 108th birthday. To celebrate her 108th birthday, the Rosewood Retirement Residence in Kingston hosted a party in her honor, complete with live music and 108 roses, which she distributed to fellow residents and guests.

Margaret Cruickshank passed away in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, on 14 October 2019, at the age of 110 years, 268 days. She was survived by two of her sons, as well as eight grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Cruickshank’s age was verified by Dr. Andrew Holmes, and was validated by the ESO on 31 October 2020.

ATTRIBUTION

* “What’s this 108-year-old’s secret? Never give up” – siennaliving.ca, 1 March 2017

* “Kingstonian celebrates 110th birthday” – Kingstonian, 22 January 2019

* “MARGARET HOPE CRUICKSHANK” – James Reid Funeral Home,

GALLERY