MARGARET SYDNEY NELSON of Lethbridge, beloved wife of the late William Arnold Nelson, passed away on December 21, 2008 at the age of 84 years.

Margaret was born in the Van Harlem Hospital (London Road) Lethbridge, June 11, 1924 to George Sandles Brown and Jean Isabella (nee Beattie). Showing an early affinity for music, she began her musical education at the age of 4. She attended Bowman School and the L.C.I. and in l945, after years of dedicated practicing, obtained the Piano Performance Diploma (LRSM) from the London (UK) Royal School of Music. She shared a deep love of music with her church, the community and her family for the remainder of her life.

As a local 'Registered Music Teacher' Margaret passed on knowledge and training to her students for over 50 years. She was active in the Provincial Registered Music Teachers and the CFMTA. Margaret served as organist and choir director at 'St. Augustine's and 'St. Mary the Virgin' Anglican churches throughout her years. She was an accompanist for the Anne Campbell Teen Clefs, school choirs and individual performers participating in the Kiwanis Music Festivals. In l951 she revived the Lethbridge Women's Music Club and in l960, she and her husband Bill organized a Board of Directors to start the Lethbridge Symphony Orchestra. She served a 3 year term as president of the Symphony Board from l972-1975. In l974 she initiated the Lethbridge 'String Instrument Program'. From 1986-1988 she was the Alberta representative to the 'Canadian Conference of the Arts'. She was a member of the 'Lethbridge Public Library Board' for 8 years, serving a term as chairman. She also served on the boards of the 'Allied Arts Council (first chairman of the Women's Committee)' the 'Southern Alberta Art Gallery' and as regent of 'Sir Alexander Galt Chapter of the IODE'.

Until the fall of 2007, Margaret was still participating and enjoying her involvement and her many wonderful friends in the Symphony Women's League, the Regional Hospital Women's Auxiliary, the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies, Kiwanis Club, Eastern Star(Laurel chapter), Beta Sigma Phi, Order of St. Lazarus, St. Augustine's Guild and the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta (Lethbridge chapter).

Margaret received numerous life memberships, awards and honors celebrating her work with the many organizations she had the opportunity to be involved with in the city she loved.

Margaret married Bill Nelson in June of 1948. They had been married 54 years at his passing in October 2002. She described Bill as being ""the nicest and kindest of men, and was I ever lucky to have found him.""

Margaret is survived by her two sons Murray and Mark of Lethbridge, her daughter Kathryn (Scott) Hinman of Calgary; two brothers, George S. Brown (Helen) of Saskatoon and J.S. (Jack) Brown (Dorothy) of Victoria. 'Grammy' will be missed by her grandchildren Caylee Wasilenko (Burnaby), Pamela Hinman (Toronto), Patty Hinman, and Schuyler Hinman.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the 'Lethbridge Symphony Association', the 'Schizophrenia Society of Lethbridge', or 'St. Augustine's Anglican Church'. A memorial service will be held at 11 A.M. Monday January 5 2009 at St. Augustine's Anglican Church with Reverend James Robinson officiating.