Obituary of Dr. Margaret Anne Wheatley

3 May, 1937 – 13 August, 2025

It is with deep sadness the family announces the passing of a dear sister, wife, mother and grandmother after a long and brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Predeceased by her loving husband of 63 years, Brian, Margaret is survived by her daughters Nicola Aquino (Manuel) and Michelle, and grandsons Anthony and Patrick Aquino. She also leaves to mourn her brother, John Farrar of Neston, Lancashire, England.

Margaret was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, daughter of George Henry Havelock Farrar and Norah Gibson. After early years in Scarborough, the family moved to Richmond, Yorkshire, where she completed school and met her future husband at the age of 11. Margaret attended Sunderland Teacher’s College and then taught in Hull, Yorkshire, England. Margaret and Brian married in 1959 and she continued to work to support Brian as he completed medical school. Their daughters were born in 1962 and 1963.

With an interest in travel and making a difference in the world, Margaret and Brian moved their young family to Masasi in southern Tanzania, and later to Flin Flon in northern Manitoba, and then to Enugu, Nigeria. Through this time Margaret provided support to Brian’s medical work and applied her training as a teacher to teach English to nursing students in Tanzania, and to teach her daughters in Tanzania and Nigeria.

With a view to a more settled lifestyle and education for their daughters, the family returned to Canada—initially in Winnipeg, then Oo-Za-We-Kwun, Manitoba, finally settling in Ottawa in time for the girls to start high school. Once in Winnipeg, Margaret decided to take a university course; this gradually escalated to being a full-time student in Ottawa, completing a BA (Hons.) in Anthropology, an MA in Anthropology, and finally a PhD in Sociology at the same time the girls were finishing their undergraduate degrees.

Shortly after completion of her doctorate, Margaret and Brian moved to Whitehorse, Yukon for two years, during which time Margaret worked in curriculum development with the Council of Yukon First Nations (then Council of Yukon Indians). On returning to Ottawa two years later, Margaret established a consulting company, concentrating on the cultural impacts on Indigenous communities and people as a result of changing diet due to environmental contaminants. When Brian retired, he joined her in this work, focussing on the human health side.

Margaret enjoyed travel, and she and Brian visited all seven continents—most multiple times—including spending many weeks each year escaping the winter cold in Holetown, Barbados. Summer weekends were spent at a cottage at Clyde Lake, Ontario where, apart from reconstructing the cottage, she also enjoyed canoeing and walking. In quieter times, she enjoyed reading and her daily sudoku.

A Funeral Service will be held at the Highland Park Remembrance Chapel, 2037 McGee Side Road, Carp, on August 21, 2025 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow.

The family wishes to thank all the staff of the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, who provided wonderful care over the last 2.5 years, and the staff at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice for their care during her final days. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice Care Ottawa – Ruddy-Shenkman  or Pancreatic Cancer Canada.

For those unable to attend in person, you are welcome to watch the service via this LINK. 

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