Margot NEY

Patricia Margot Ney, nee Brown passed away peacefully on May 29, 2020.  Margot  is survived by her brother Peter Brown, children Sandra (Paul) Marquis, Tanya Ney (Misha Jovanovic), Patrick (Kate) Ney, Danielle (Travis) Lapointe; grandchildren Camille Marquis, Luke (Caitlin) Marquis, Esme Marquis, Josiah Ney, Caleb Ney, Matthew Ney, Sabine Lapointe, Tessa Lapointe, Sophie Lapointe and Matea Jovanovic; and great grandchildren Gavin Marquis and Caleb Marquis. Margot was predeceased by her father Bruce Brown (MLA), mother Shirley Brown, and sister Judy Brown.

Margot was born February 27, 1934 in Penticton B.C.  She moved to Prince Rupert at an early age, and attended school and graduated from high school in Prince Rupert. She went on to achieve her B.C. teacher’s certificate from Victoria College in 1953.  She taught elementary school in Victoria and Vancouver and fondly remembered her students and time in the classroom.

Later in life Margot graduated with a law degree from the University of Canterbury, New Zealand in 1984.  She did another year of law at the University of Victoria, B.C. in order to qualify as a lawyer in B.C. and then went on to article and practice law at MacIsaac and Company in Victoria.  Margot focused primarily on family law and guided many families through difficult times in their lives. 

In addition to working as a lawyer, Margot served on many boards and committees; including the Victoria Dispute Resolution Centre, the Cridge Centre for the Family, Equip International, and the Victoria Pregnancy Centre. Margot attended Emmanuel Baptist church and Saanich Baptist church.  She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for many years and she was also a long time volunteer with the Emmanuel Baptist weekly student dinners.

Margot was one of the founders of SALTS (Sail and Life Training Society).  With her family she helped bring the Robertson II from Nova Scotia through the Panama Canal to Victoria.

After retiring from law in 2001 Margot taught English at Tianjin University in China.  She also taught English as a second language as a volunteer with International Christian Ministries in Victoria for many years.

In addition to her many other accomplishments Margot was well known as an amazing cook and a gracious hostess.  She prepared countless dinners and teas for friends and strangers and she made every occasion special.  She could make a delicious batch of scones in less than 20 minutes and was renowned for her pies.  Margot was also an accomplished knitter and gifted many people with sweaters, blankets, scarves and baby items. Margot did all of this while helping to maintain a hobby farm of 300+ apple trees, berry bushes, sheep, geese, cats, dogs and horses.

Margot saw a lot of the world.  She lived in Montreal, England, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Illinois, China and several places in B.C.  She shopped, camped, hiked, sailed, canoed and beach walked across B.C. and New Zealand.  She joined her children and friends in adventures around the world, including Japan, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Uganda and Peru.  She loved to eat out and try new foods and had a massive library of recipes and cook books.

Margot nurtured her four children, 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  She was also a second mother to nieces, friends of her children and other people who relied on her for a good meal and a sympathetic ear.  She will be remembered by her grandchildren for exciting summer weekends, attending many of their events and performances and “bottomless” birthday gift bags. 

Margot was a generous spirit, loving and kind and a wonderful listener.  She was also strong, determined and not easily deterred from a challenge. Margot was much beloved by her family and friends and will be sorely missed.  She touched a great many people’s lives and we are all better for having known and loved her. 

The family intend to honour her memory with a celebration of life in Victoria when Covid restrictions allow for larger gatherings and travel.  A notice of the event will be posted in the Times Colonist and church bulletin when a date has been set.

If you would like to honour Margot and her generous spirit, donations made in her name to one of her recent charities (World Vision Canada or Hope and Healing International), would be much appreciated by the family.

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