Margaret Beach was born on May 28, 1930 in her parents' home at 972 York Street (now 104th Street), North Battleford. This was the beginning of the Dirty Thirties, a time of terrible economic hardship. Her parents were Assyrian immigrants who had fled their homeland in Persia because of religious persecution. Margaret received her elementary education at Connaught School and took her high school at the Convent of the Child Jesus. She completed her formal education by taking a one-year business course at the North Battleford Collegiate Institute.
Margaret's mother spoke only Assyrian, but Margaret and her siblings learned English in school and taught their mother. Her father became an engineer with CN Rail and the family of seven began to prosper. Tragically, when Margaret was very young, her sister Mary died of appendicitis, and her father died of pneumonia and pleurisy when she was only eight years old.
Margaret endured many hardships as she grew up, but her faith in God and her strong work ethic saw her through the many difficult times. Margaret was a valued employee. Over the years, she worked for Bowman Brothers, the Battlefords News-Optimist, The Land Titles Office and finished her career working at the Saskatchewan Hospital for 23 years. As a point of interest, during her time at the News-Optimist, Margaret assisted Cameron Ross McIntosh by transcribing his book of poems entitled Canada Calling.
Margaret's record of community service speaks for itself. She has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for 35 years. She also sang in the church junior choir as a young person, and now sings in the senior choir. Margaret taught Sunday School for many years and worked with the church's young peoples' group. She was also a member of the church's board of managers, and its secretary for a number of years. If that wasn't enough, Margaret was president of the Presbyterian Women's Group.
She regularly volunteers her time visiting at the Battlefords District Care Centre, and putting on birthday parties for the residents of the River Heights Lodge. She also looks after the bake tables for the church's annual strawberry teas. In addition, on many occasions, Margaret has canvassed door to door for many charities. She has also delivered catalogues to raise funds for the church. And, during the Christmas season every year, she rings the bells in the local malls to raise money for the Empty Stocking Fund. Margaret has also given unstintingly of her time to teach English to newly arrived immigrants to our city.
Margaret's personal and family life is an example of outgoing love and selflessness.
As a leader in the community, she worked to preserve the history heritage of the Assyrian settlers by writing a detailed history of the Assyrians for the North Battleford Archives. In 2003, working with the Presbyterian minister, Rev. Betty Marsh, she chaired a committee to sponsor a 100th anniversary gathering and celebration of all Assyrians in the Battlefords area and second, third and fourth descendants from all over Canada and the United States. It was an extraordinary celebration. In honour of the Assyrian settlers and their contributions to the city and province (including agriculture, business, sports and leadership), Margaret had a plaque made. A local newspaper took a photograph in front of the Allen Sapp Gallery. Notably, most of the Assyrian people who attended the celebration still belong to the Presbyterian Church. Finally, in 2009, Margaret helped with the design of four stained glass windows that depict the arrival of the Assyrian settlers to the North Battleford area, and their early life.
In October of 2010, Margaret was awarded the prestigious Saskatchewan Seniors Award in the Heritage Category. The award was presented at the Hotel Saskatchewan in Regina by Lt.- Gov. Gordon Barnhart.
Margaret married Hugh William Richard Stewart at the age of 24. She lost her husband in 1979. Over the years, as a single mother, Margaret kept her family together and strong. Her focus in life was her children, and she was always there for them. Margaret and her second husband, Robert Beach were married in 1989. Sadly, Robert passed away from cancer in March, 2012.
Margaret is a youthful 82 years of age. She continues with her church activities, does aquasize regularly, travels and goes ATVing and ice fishing, She rarely misses a North Stars game, and she proudly wears a Saskatchewan Rough Riders jersey for every football game.
Margaret has lived an exceptionally full life - a life of giving herself to her family, her church, her community and her forbearers, the Assyrian people. On the occasion of our fair city's centennial, we are humbled by this most remarkable woman and her accomplishments. For this, we give Margaret our most heartfelt thank you.
