MARGARET KING of Lethbridge, beloved wife of Philip King, passed away on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at the age of 91 years.

Born in Medicine Hat in 1916 to Sgt. Major William Kermack and his wife ""Meg"", Margaret was the first of four children. A dozen years later the family returned to their native Scotland for a few years before returning to Canada where Margaret completed her education in Calgary. She met, and later married Philip in October 1939, the same time that he enlisted in the R.C.A.F.

Philip's air force duties kept him in Canada and Margaret was able to be with him a great deal of the time at the various bases across Canada. It was during this period he discovered that his new wife was not a ""stay at home girl"". After a few days on a new station, he would learn that she had found a job in ""The English Tea Room"" as a waitress, the local Drug Store as a soda jerker or some occupation or other.

It was, therefore, not surprising that after WWII, upon moving to Lethbridge, Margaret found employment with the T. Eaton Company where her talents were recognized. Margaret soon became the manager of the Jewelry Department. In the late 1960's, she was approached to manage the new Woolco Jewelry department in the just opened College Mall, a position which she accepted with something more in mind. In 1970 she opened her own shop, ""The Marguerite Jewelry Ltd."" in the same mall. By this time Margaret was well known in the jewelry industry, both by area shoppers and the industry itself and was highly respected by both. Her business was later sold and continues today.

In her youth, Margaret rode horseback from her grandfather's farm near Calgary to school and back through the winter months. In spite of numerous calamitous incidents and wretched cold, her love of horses was born and remained with her throughout her life. She never passed up an opportunity to ride when the occasion presented itself. A second love was ballroom dances, of which she attended many, one of which was the annual St. Mary's Sailing Club ""Commodores Fizz Party"" incomplete without her demonstrations of ""The Scottish Sword Dance"", a ""Highland Fling"" and perhaps a ""Black Bottom"".

In 1978 Margaret and her husband retired to their Gulf Island Home off the coast of British Columbia and thoroughly enjoyed the low key lifestyle and pristine beauty of this area for twenty five years. They made many friends on Pender Island, a community then of about 700 population. Unfortunately Margaret suffered a stroke in 2003 and the decision was made to return to Lethbridge.

During her busy life, Margaret's only child was born, a daughter Diana who provided her with two granddaughters, Jodi Merriman and Heidee Walshe. Great Grannie Margaret will be sadly missed by Jodi, her husband Brent and her two little boys Ethan and Evan Merriman; Heidee, her husband Sean and her new daughter Shayla; as well as her loving husband Philip and her daughter Diana. A brother George Kermack of Victoria, BC and her sister Avis Carr of Calgary will mourn her passing. A second brother Ian predeceased her during his infancy. Ashlyn and Noel Merriman visited their ""stepnannie"" during special occasions and will be saddened by her passing.

Margaret was loved by ""the few"", and admired by ""the many"", and shall be missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00PM on Monday, December 17, 2007 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, with Reverend Elizabeth Brown officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Salvations Army Community and Family Services, 1811 - 2 Ave South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2C9.