Keith Margetts passed away at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital on June 16th, 2024, with his wife Wendy and his two amazing daughters Tessa and Carmen at his side. He fought his esophageal cancer with great honesty and integrity just like he did everything else in his life. He died after having the privilege of being attended by “two angels” from the palliative outreach team – Fiona and Rahael. Our family ‘s thanks to Dr. Pawlik, Dr. Unger and palliative Dr. Mary – doctors who deserve the title of Doctor.
Keith was born 1954 in Broken Hill Zambia to Doreen and Percy Margetts. He leaves to mourn his sister Denny Bam (Bert deceased) and their children Michelle, Gail, Shaun and Jeffrey; brother Neville Margetts (Ronny) and their children Anthea and Dean; Sister-in-law Sue Carter (Godfrey) and their children Debbie, Lindy, Mandy and Nicholas; Sister-in-law Christia and nieces Donne and Jolene and their respective families and many lifelong friends both in South Africa and Canada.
Keith attended school in South Africa from the age of 11 and after completing his full-time national service he went on to Rhodes University to complete his Honours in Business Administration. Keith attended army camps in South Africa from 1977 to 1983 leaving home for three months each year.
He married Wendy in 1978 and after a glorious carefree 7 years (excluding army camps), Carmen was born and three years later Tessa arrived to complete his family.
Keith qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1983. Keith was a lifelong learner as his colleagues in the Provincial Government can attest to. Keith retired in 2017 and turned his search for knowledge to photography. The Shutterbugs in Sidney and the Raptors in Duncan brought him a lot of joy.
The family is truly grateful for all the support and the understanding from friends when Keith was not wanting visitors. Thanks to JoAnn Gillespie for her ongoing positivity and loving support. Thanks also to good friends Tessa Lowis and Steve Clooney who enabled Keith to complete two bucket list items in his last months – a visit to San Josef Bay / Mira falls and a final visit to Tofino.
Keith’s Celebration of Life will take place on July 23, 2024 (Keith’s 70th Birthday), from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, at 2522 James Island Road, Saanichton. At this event we will be collecting old towels for Animal Welfare.
If you wish to make a contribution in Keith’s name you can email The Raptors: raptorrescuesociety@gmail.com
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
20 Responses
Wendy,
Please accept my sincerest condolences in the passing of your beloved husband. I worked with Keith in Internal Audit and Advisory Services in The Province of BC. He was so delightful. Always with a listening ear and a hearing heart. His signature “Happy Dance” is so vivid in my mind and brings a smile to my face everytime I picture him doing it. No matter what my mood, Keith always heightened it. Such a joy. I will miss him and pray that your love and fond memories of him will carry you through these difficult times. Michael Zwicker
Hi Wendy, the happy memories that my wife, Cathy, and I have of Keith are from ski trips to Mount Washington with Janet and our ski group. What good times we had. Cathy remembers skiing with Keith because they were at the same level of ability. Lots of laughs they had together. They even skied a black diamond run, even though they were beginners. They were so proud of that. Keith was such a good natured guy – lots of laughs. And he left a lasting legacy for our ski group. He loved Cathy’s chocolate cake that we took on all ski trips so much that he named it the Black Diamond cake after Black Diamond runs on the ski hills. To this day all who ski with us know that cake as the Black Diamond cake. Great memories!
Sending condolences to Wendy, Carmen and Tessa and Keith’s family. I wish I could have met Keith. Wendy invited us to visit them in Canada, but we never managed to get there. Much love,
Kathy Stead (nee Eekhout), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Sending so much love to you, Wends, Carmen and Tessa!
Oh this is so heartbreaking to hear of Keith’s passing. I know I had never met him in person but he was my mom’s dear friend whom she shared so many wonderful once in a lifetime memories with the whole family touring with Keith around the beautiful spots in Canada. But myself and Keith shared so much and interacted over social media. We were both adventure seekers who loved nature and animals. Seen the beauty in the most simple things each day offers and I felt he was a kindred friend who I’m sure if we had been in company would have enjoyed each others sharing of stories and wonders. I always promised I would visit and although he has passed I still will and get to meet Wendy and his lovely family and friends. To all who loved and knew him I’m sending love as he was fighting to stay. But I hope he is sat watching the world with the best view over us all encouraging us to see more of nature’s wonders and appreciation of the time we have on earth. Lots of love to Wendy and the girls ❤️❤️❤️
Our thoughts are with you Wendy and your girls and families. Although we did not have the privilege of spending a lot of time with Keith, that which we did have was always wonderful and of which we have fun and happy memories. Keep strong and remember it is better to have loved and lost than never to have had at all.
Lots of love Mike and Kathy.
Xxx
Dear Wendy, Carmen and Tessa
Our heart felt sincere condolences to you all with the passing of Keith our dear friend for over 50 years.
We may have had distance between our friendship, but we always had you as a family in our thoughts and prayers and especially now to you in the passing of our dear friend and your father and husband Keith.
May he Rest In Peace.
We hold you close to our hearts.
With all our love ❤️
Richard, Debby and Meghan Opperman
Cape Town, South Africa
Don’t know what to say. Wish we were with you all. Keith rest in peace sweetheart. Love to you all.We are thinking of you all xxxx
A true friend right back to our University days and then again when we met up in Kimberley while working for De Beers , Keith’s sense of humor will always be remembered. We hiked the Tsitsikama together and shared great stories around the fire at night. Even though we were opposite ends of the world we so enjoyed seeing how happy Keith and Wendy were in Canada. Our condolences to Wendy, Carmen and Tessa. Your huge loss is felt by all who knew Keith. Sending love from Rich and Bev in New Zealand
Love you Wends,Carmen and Tessa. Not long now till we all arrive to disrupt your lives. Keith was a man in a million and we loved him so very much. ♥️