After a great long run, in a life filled with loving friendships and the company of the Stratford artists for whom she had such respect and admiration, we sadly bring down the final curtain for Margaret Carol Ryerson (nee Ellicott), our mother, sister and Gran. Margaret is survived by her beloved son John, his wife Lori and the shining lights of the last 20-some years, grandsons Spencer and Adrian, along with her adored sister Lloy and husband Grant. An extensive cast list of nephews, nieces and cousins also mourn her passing, and toast a life well lived. Margaret leaves a hard act to follow with her many, many volunteer activities, most notably at St. John’s United Church, PAL (the Performing Arts Lodge) and SAWA, the Stratford and Area World Aid group with whom she spent so much time with for so many years. As the “right hand” to four of the Stratford Festival’s Artistic Directors (and their first archivist), she was a tireless cheerleader for the hundreds of actors, stagehands and technical artists who passed through those doors in her 20-ish years there. When she moved on from the Festival, she became part of the start up team of the original Stratford Music Festival, bringing her experience and wisdom to the administrative team there. It’s a testament to an actors’ skill to leave the audience wanting just a little more, and Marg’s final act is no different. We expect that Egerton and Ken, her husband and brother who predeceased her, will be waiting at the great cosmic CN station somewhere, with a rye ‘n’ ginger waiting for her, preparing for a train to the next station. In the words of the Robert Munsch book that she loved, which she quoted every time we headed home to Toronto: love you forever. Thank you to the staff of People Care and Golden Years Nursing Home for their care and love. A Memorial service for family and friends will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s United Church, 175 Waterloo Street, followed by interment (Avondale Cemetery) and a reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to PAL Stratford, P.O. Box 21045, Stratford, ON N5A 7V4, www.palstratford.org, or a charity of your choice, through the James A. Rutherford Funeral Home, 156 Albert St., Stratford at 519-271-5062. www.jarfh.com
