Margaret E. (Hamilton) Bailey

BAILEY, Margaret (nee Hamilton)

(Longtime active member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church; member of the Lily of the Valley chapter #141 of the Order of the Eastern Star; Volunteer at OSMH for more than 40 years; recipient of the Order of Orillia-2009)

Passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, at Hospice Simcoe on Saturday, August 24th in her 91st year, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.  She was the dearly loved wife of Louis Bailey (died 2017) for 68 years.  Born in 1928 to Margaret and John Hamilton, Marg was raised in Toronto along with her siblings: Archie, Doug, John (Jack), Nancy and Alex (all pre-deceased).  After marriage and the birth of their first child, Paul, Marg and Lou moved to Orillia in 1952 and were blessed with two more sons, Peter and Blair.  Marg and Lou enabled their three sons to have wonderful childhoods in a loving and nurturing home environment.   Even throughout her years working as a school secretary at ODCVI secondary school and Harriett Todd public school, Marg was a dedicated volunteer at the Orillia Presbyterian church Ladies Auxiliary, Soldiers Memorial Hospital, the Lily of the Valley chapter of the Eastern Star, and the annual Orillia Kiwanis Music Festival.  She was dearly loved by her sister-in-law Eleanor Sheppard; daughters-in-law Cheryl, Thelma, Mayumi and Lynn Vandervoort; her nieces Linda Beamish, Judy (Charlie) Whiteman and nephews Jim (Diane) and Bob (Linda) Bailey; and her six grandchildren: Claire (Tyler MacNamara), Travis (Mable), Lauren (Mike Galego), Allison (Scott Johnson), Spencer and Landon; as well as many friends.  In recent years Marg rejoiced at the arrival of seven great-grandchildren: Luke, Isabel, Owen, Declan, Stella, Brianna, and Charlotte, all of whom she adored.

After retirement, Marg found a new calling as a dedicated and caring pastoral visitor to those in retirement and nursing homes, as well as other invalids and ‘shut-ins.’  Many have remarked that Marg had a remarkable gift of being able to ‘gladden the heart’ of anyone she encountered with her caring ways and warm smile.  Marg’s family would like to express thanks to Dr. John Stokreef, Dr. Jeffrey Hurwitz, the staff at the Leacock Retirement Lodge, and the nurses and volunteers of OSMH and the Hospice Simcoe for the care they gave to Marg in recent years as her health declined.

Following cremation and private inurnment at St. Andrew’s – St. James’ cemetery in Orillia, the family will receive friends at the Mundell Funeral Home, 79 West St. N., Orillia on Tuesday, September 3rd from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM and on Wednesday, September 4th from 2-4 PM.  Members of the Lily of the Valley chapter #141, O.E.S. are asked to gather for service at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, September 3rd at 6:45.   A ‘Celebration of Life’ service will be held at the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 99 Peter St. N., Orillia, on Sunday, September 15th at 2 PM.

If desired, memorial donations to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Orillia; Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital; World Vision; or the Mariposa House Hospice would be gratefully appreciated.  Messages of condolence are welcome at www.mundellfuneralhome.com.