Mary Margaret Sirrs (nee Lucas) passed away peacefully at home in Whitby ON. She had celebrated her 82nd birthday three days earlier. She was a devoted wife of Robert Douglas Sirrs, a retired Canadian Foreign Service Officer and former Ambassador. Loving mother of Laurel (late Bruce) of Rye, New York, Reid (Diane) of Ottawa/Afghanistan and Owen (Julie) of Missoula, Montana. Margaret has nine cherished grandchildren, Natalie, Lucas, Matthew, Kori, Gillian, Meredith, Jonah, Lucy and Susan. Pre-deceased by her parents, Alexander Burton Lucas, former director of education in London ON and Alfreda Cowan Lucas (Mitchell). She is survived by her brother Kenneth Burton Lucas (Isobel) and cousins, nieces and nephews.
Margaret earned a BA from the University of Western Ontario in 1954. Her early life in Chatham, London and Toronto had been sheltered and stable. However, all that changed as her marriage led to an exciting and fulfilling life abroad. As a dedicated partner she served along side her husband through many diplomatic assignments, several of which took place during turbulent times of unrest and warfare. Starting with the Canadian Embassy in Venezuela, there were postings to Consulates in New York, Chicago and Atlanta, the Canadian High Commission in Pakistan, and Embassies in Guatemala, Mexico and Costa Rica (Panama, Honduras, Salvador and Nicaragua). She faced the challenges of raising a family under difficult conditions with courage, strength and resolve. In addition to entertaining foreign Dignitaries with charm and grace, she immersed herself in new cultures, new languages and local organizations.
After retirement in Whitby, Margaret became active in the Lakeridge Health Organization. Starting out as a volunteer, she became President of Lakeridge Health Volunteer Services in Whitby and then Chair of the Board of Lakeridge Health Volunteer Council in Oshawa. She was involved in the Food Bank at All Saints Anglican Church in Whitby. She was a long standing member and President of her Chapter of P.E.O., an International Woman’s Organization, whose primary focus is providing educational opportunities for female students world wide. In her spare time she was a voracious reader and avid gardener. An animal lover with a huge heart, she had many dogs and cats over the years, many being rescued from harms way.

Her final resting place will be at her beloved Sand Lake where she has spent many summers since her early childhood.
Margaret was much loved by family and friends. She will be remembered for her lasting contributions, her strength, devotion, grit and incredible grace. She will be missed by those whose lives she has touched.

Visitation will take place at All Saints Anglican Church, 300 Dundas Street W. Whitby on Saturday January 24th, 2015 from 12:00 Noon until time of funeral service in the church at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Humane Society of Canada – A gift of life in Memoriam.