Ursula Josephine Cole MacGregor, 90, of Victoria, BC, passed away peacefully after a short illness on April 10, 2015 in the Victoria General Hospital.
She was born in Victoria on June 13, 1924 to William and Ursula (Edwards) Ley. She lived on Ten Mile Point until 1930 when she moved with her mother and sister (Nancy Hawkes) to their Grandfather’s (William Trevellick Edwards) flower farm on Gordon Head Road.
After finishing school at Mount Douglas High School, Jo went on to normal college for her teaching diploma. During World War II, she was a bicycle messenger for Air Raid Precautions. Joie met her husband-to-be Keith MacGregor while he was at the Officer Training Corps, Gordon Head in 1942.
After the war, in October 1945, they married and began a 30 year odyssey of military family life and travel across Canada and overseas to England. During this army wife career, they had three sons, Kirk, Clive and Roy. As well as raising three sons, sometimes on her own when her husband was on United Nations missions overseas, she volunteered visiting veteran’s hospitals regularly.
When Keith retired in 1976, they returned to Victoria and bought a house on a quiet street in Saanich near her mother and sister, with whom she could spend time missed during her military travels. She was active as a volunteer at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and with the Heritage Tree Society in Saanich. During retirement, she was able to enjoy several long trips to the Isles of Scilly, her mother’s birthplace and Joie’s spiritual home.
Predeceased by her husband (2008), she is survived by her sons Kirk of Toronto, Clive (Claire) of Halifax, Roy (Corinne) of Winnipeg; step sister Margaret Gillingham of Victoria; grandchildren, Jennifer (Bruno De Deckere) MacGregor of Brighton, of England, Daniel MacGregor of Calgary, Cameron MacGregor and Dawn MacGregor of Winnipeg and sister-in-law Shirley MacGregor of Calgary.
Cremation has taken place and interment will be at a later date. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday April 15, 2015 at 2:00 PM, St. Luke’s Church, Saanich, reception to follow.
The family would like to thank the staff at Central Care Home (now The Heights at Mt. View) for their supportive and cheerful approach to our mother’s care.
Donations can be made to Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
Sequoia Gardens Memorial
www.sequoiagardens.com
-
Colin Craig
-
Daniel MacGregor Sad that I had to say my last goodbye to my wonderful grandmother yesterday, but comforting to be able to remember her in her hometown and with our family. Thank you for being a great person.
-
Deby MacGregor My condolences to the family. Granjo was a strong and good woman. She was a loving and true grandmother to Lucas through his short life.
-
Pamela Taylor Even though I can’t be there due to my illness, I am with my cousins Kirk, Clive and Roy and stand by my brothers in honoring my Aunt Jo’s life.
Love Pam
-
Shirley MacGregor She was truly a lady. I so enjoyed her knowledge of early Victoria and all her ‘seafaring’ stories. She will be missed.
-
Jordan, Deanna and Dagny MacGregor Sorry to hear of Aunt Joie’s passing. She was such a strong and thoughtful woman through her long life.
Wishing all the family the best through this sad time. May you all have such longevity as Joey.
Love from Jordan, Deanna and Dagny
-
Shannon MacGregor My deepest sympathy and condolences go out to Clive, Kirk, Roy and their families. I will miss Auntie Joie very much and will keep and cherish fond memories of family times together.
Love Always Shannon – Calgary, AB
-
Jennifer Josephine MacGregor My Gran. You’ve been there my whole life, introduced me to England and inspired me to be the person I am. I miss you already, lots of love, Jennifer.
Such a joy to spend time with my Aunt Jo on her last night. I will keep our secrets. But you were right.