Margaret Irene DeGraw (née Patterson)

Peacefully with family by her side, at Henley Place LTC in London, Ontario on Saturday, January 18, 2025 in her 86th year.  Beloved wife of Gary DeGraw (1986). Loving mother of Darryl (Gabriele) and Donna (Jamie) Bailey. Adored grandmother of Chris, Morgan (1997), Colin, Korrin, Warren and Jordan.  Dear great-grandmother of Oliver, Serenity and Silas.  Margaret is survived by her sister Helen Breen and brothers Morley Patterson, Robert Weymouth and Bill Patterson, sister-in-law Evelyn Patterson and brother-in-law Jim Gibson.  Margaret was predeceased by sisters Alice Gibson, June Hughes, Marion Bell, MaryLou Jeffery and brothers Harold Patterson, Don Patterson and Michael Patterson.

Marg was a hairdresser in her home for many years and absolutely loved spending time with her customers and friends.  She will be remembered for her laughter, kindness and loving nature.  She was an active member at West Park Baptist Church for many years.

Marg was born in Wardsville, Ontario on March 5, 1939 at the farm where she lived until she was 17 and was finished high school. She immediately started nursing training, living in residence at Chatham General Hospital, writing her nursing exam in 1957 and starting work even before her test results were in!  She met Gary DeGraw in high school and they were married on Aug 30, 1958.  They started their life together in London, Ontario where she stopped working as a nurse in 1962 to be a stay-at-home Mom, caring for Darryl and then Donna.  She drew on her nursing experience again in the 80’s to care for Gary as he battled kidney failure and needed home dialysis.  Gary died suddenly in 1986, and Marg was on her own and her strength and faith carried her forward.  She had taken up hairdressing through Fanshawe College in 1981 and supported herself after Gary’s death until retirement with a hair salon in her basement, daily hanging a sign on the back door that said ‘Please Ring and Walk In’.  And so many in the community did, coming to Marg not only for hair styling but also for a visit – you didn’t have to be a customer to Ring and Walk In.  Even though in her later years of work she had mobility difficulties, Marg would still make the effort to drive to some of her customer’s homes to do their hair when they could no longer come to her.  Marg was always involved with her church, whether it was singing, teaching Sunday school or Pioneer Clubs.  Through her salon and church activities, Marg touched many lives with her caring demeanor, listening ear and wonderful laugh.

Marg’s sister Helen, who also lost her husband too young, spent many years living together with Marg – they were inseparable until recent years when they went to different Long Term Care facilities.

In her final home at Henley Place LTC, Marg will be remembered as always happy regardless of circumstance.  She didn’t complain about anything, right up to the end.

She will be missed and fondly remembered by many, many people whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be held at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2025 at West Park Baptist Church, 955 Gainsborough Road, London, with an hour visitation prior.  Interment at Woodland Cemetery in London, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Margaret are asked to consider West Park Baptist Church or Youth for Christ.

Click here to view a slideshow of Margaret’s life