1912 – 2016
Margaret Jane ‘Madge’ Callens (nee Robertson) passed away peacefully at Parkview Place, Enderby, on Thursday morning, February 18, 2016 at the age of 103.
Madge was born August 27, 1912 on her parents farm at Mara, the fourth of five children. On completing school at Mara she helped on the family farm, was a cook’s helper at St. Michael’s Girls School in Vernon, and later worked in fruit packing houses around Oyama. Madge married in 1937 and they farmed until 1943 when her husband joined the BC Provincial Police/RCMP. This meant a move from Mara, and an opportunity for Madge to meet new friends and participate in many community clubs during postings to Kelowna, Grand Forks, Merritt, Clinton, back to Merritt and finally North Vancouver. They retired back to Mara in 1965. Madge was a Life Member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and will be fondly remembered for her hospitality and love of a good game of cards.
Madge was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, J.H. ‘Cally’ Callens, in January 1992. She will be forever missed by her three children: Larry (Alice), Ian (Marg) and Jeanne (Rick) Garner; six grandchildren, Craig (Joanne), Kim (Mike) Jacobs, Kelly (Adrianna), Kathy (Lance) Block, Gage Garner and Marlo (Sebastian) Lipsett; and ten great grandchildren, Courtney, Taylor, Brandon, Erin, Eline, Ian, Ari, Kassidy, Kayla and Ginger.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Mara Community Hall at a date to be determined. The family thank the Home Care workers and staff at Parkview Place for their thoughtful and compassionate care of Madge.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to Bowers Funeral Home, Salmon Arm. Online condolences may be sent to Madge’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com