Margaret Holman
1932-2026
Margaret passed away in Ottawa on April 16, 2026. She will be sorely missed by her children, Susan, Nicholas and Judith, her son-in-law Peter, her grand-children Michael (Michelle) and Salem and her great-grandchildren, Maelyn and Maxson. She is predeceased by her husband Derek Holman and her grandson, Derek Rigano.
Margaret was loved so much and by so many, for her gentle soul, lovely and ready smile, unfailing good humour and kind heart—all balanced by a lively and sometimes wicked sense of humour.
Margaret was born in Cornwall, England on September 21, 1932 and was an only child. During the war, her father left to find work on the railways of India. In 1944, she and her mother joined him in Lahore (now in Pakistan) and lived there for three years.
Upon returning to England, Margaret learned shorthand and typing at St. Godric’s College in London. She then worked as secretary to the head of the media section at S. H. Benson Ltd., a leading London advertising agency. She thoroughly enjoyed her years in the city, attending plays at the West End theatres and following the latest fashions.
In 1955, she married Derek Holman. The couple moved to the grounds of Addington Palace, south of London, following Derek’s appointment as tutor and later warden at the Royal School of Church Music. They welcomed their first child, Susan, in 1956, followed by Nicholas and then Judith
In 1965, the family moved to Toronto when Derek accepted a position as organist and choir master at Grace Church on-the-Hill. After raising her family, Margaret returned to work in 1980 and spent 17 years as secretary to the director of epidemiology at the Ontario Cancer Research Foundation. This work was especially meaningful to Margaret as her beloved mother had died of cancer at 48.
She thrived in retirement, occupying herself with continuing education courses, concerts, travel, family visits and caring for her beloved rescue dog, Charlie.
In 2016, she and Derek moved into Amica at Westboro Park, a retirement home in Ottawa, close to her daughter Judith and son-in-law Peter. Margaret spent ten happy years there and quickly won the hearts of those who cared for her during her final years. A huge thank-you goes to Amica staff, with an especially heartfelt thank-you to the personal support workers and nurses for their tender care of both our parents.
A service in Margaret’s memory will be held on May 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Church on-the-Hill in Toronto.