Margaret (Margey) Mary McLaughlin

Margaret (Margey) Mary McLaughlin

We are deeply saddened by the passing of beloved wife, sister, aunt, and friend, Margaret (Margey) Mary McLaughlin.

Margey was welcomed into the O’Connor family in St. Paul, Alberta on June 7, 1955. She was the third child for parents Wilhelmina (Minnie) and John. The family was struggling to make ends meet on their farm in Alberta and decided to move to Whitehorse, Yukon in search of a better life. Here, Margey grew up with her older siblings Francis and Catherine and were eventually joined by a host of new siblings Douglas, Ronald, Joanne, Michael, and Christine.

After graduating high school, Margey cultivated her creative side in an interior decorating course at Mount Royal College, which would end up being a cornerstone in her professional and personal life. Her career took many turns on paper, but at its heart, much of her work reflected a natural way with people, and demonstrating care and attentiveness.

In 1975, after her shift as a host at the Edgewater Hotel, Margey met David McLaughlin one night at the Capital Hotel, a popular nightspot in Whitehorse at the time. The two began dating, and got married in 1984 in Mazatlán, Mexico, a place they both loved. David was her true partner in every sense – together they built a life rooted in companionship, shared joys, and deep mutual support. They shared a love of travel, camping, and baseball, playing in a softball league for fun and faithfully cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays.

Margey noticed the beauty in everyday life and knew how to create thoughtful surroundings. This gift showed itself clearly in her work at General Enterprise’s Irly Bird, or Plantation Flowers & Gifts, as well as in the many kindnesses she shared with family and friends. She became the go-to person for decorating for special occasions such as weddings and baby showers. In time, she launched her own wedding décor business, and her dream was fully realized in 1991 when she opened a gift shop of her own in downtown Whitehorse aptly called “Occasions.”

Though she never had children of her own, Margey was a devoted aunt and mothering presence to many, taking that role seriously. She delighted in every chance to spoil her nieces and nephews with thoughtfully curated goodie bags for every occasion. She had a true gift for sourcing interesting and beautiful items – an instinct that was ahead of its time, long before others turned to social media for inspiration.

Margey was also well-known for having the greenest of green thumbs, and her love of plants, flowers, and gardens was celebrated locally by the Yukon Agricultural Association, receiving the Best Yard award. Margey and David’s yard on Taber Crescent in the Granger subdivision was an oasis, with ponds, lush green grass, a thriving greenhouse, and an abundance of life and colour, including her cherished dahlias. It was also the setting for a beloved annual summer tea party, where nieces and family friends were invited to dress up and gather among the gardens for tea and carefully prepared treats.

Margey will be remembered for her creative spirit, her deep loyalty to those she loved, and her easygoing, welcoming nature. She was kind to everyone she met, endlessly thoughtful, and always ready to help those in need.

A celebration of life will take place in Whitehorse this summer, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Margey’s life.