Margaret Kearney (Armstrong)

February 6, 1925 to December 9, 2019

Obituary

Margaret passed away peacefully 9 December 2019, at 94 years of age.  Predeceased by her husband Gerard, infant children, and daughter Louise Kearney.  Also, by sisters Mary Darcy, Betty Dunphy (Joseph deceased), Barbara Crosbie; brothers Tom Armstrong (Marie deceased), Frank (Spank) Armstrong (Shirley deceased). She leaves with loving memories daughter Anna Kearney Guigné, son-in-law Jacques Guigné; sons Francis (Frank) Kearney (Ruth); Christopher Kearney; Grandchildren Françoise Guigné (Andre Pant), Simone Lilly (Bruce), Ashley Kearney Pratt (Jamie), Ryan Kearney; great grandchildren Éric and Loïc Pant; Raya and Mila Lilly; Avery, Owen and Adeline Pratt, brothers-in-law Jim Darcy, Roger Crosbie and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

On February 6, 1925, Margaret was the first baby girl born at St. Clare’s hospital. She attended Mercy Convent School and in 1944 she joined the Royal Canadian Navy, travelling to Cornwallis and Ottawa. Upon her return to Newfoundland in 1948 she married Gerry Kearney. She often regaled her family with stories of her work as a singer for the troops and as a stenographer. In the late 1960s, she seized an opportunity to do a radio commentary for the CBC, this eventually led Margaret to develop an extensive and diverse career as a journalist and broadcaster.  As a freelance writer Margaret regularly contributed articles to The Daily News, the Evening Telegram and Decks Awash.  As a freelance journalist she was a regular contributor to Peter Gzowski’s CBC “Morningside” show. In the early 1970s, while working with the province’s Department of Consumer Affairs, she initiated Box 999, a consumer advocacy column. Margaret is also remembered for developing the VOCM children’s program “Nan-Nan Mags” and a four-part series titled Radio 65, which broadcast live on-air on CBC in the 1980s. As an octogenarian, Margaret appeared as a local commentator for CBC Here and Now, in “Marg’s Corner.” There she would talk about important issues facing her fellow senior citizens.  

Margaret’s natural ability to connect with people and radio experience led her to work for the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation between 1978 and 1992. Margaret became “the voice of our province in international media,” working tirelessly to influence travel writers and broadcasters to showcase Newfoundland and Labrador as one of the most breathtaking places to visit. During this time, she was also instrumental in setting up standards for the province’s Bed and Breakfast industry. Margaret was honoured by the province for her accomplishments, receiving the Order of Newfoundland and Labrador in 2014.  

Margaret was photographer, talented quiltmaker, devout volunteer and regular reader at St. Pius X masses. She will be fondly remembered for her wonderful stories and colourful expressions, and for her party piece “The Second Minuet.”

The family wishes to express a special thank you to Dr. O’Shea, Pam Malloy, Jennifer McGrath, and all the staff at Kenny’s Pond for their care and compassion especially in these last few months.  

In Marg’s own words, “We’re some glad your mother had you!”

Visitation will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road on 11 and 12 of December from 2:00 p.m. to 4: 00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The funeral service is to be held at St. Pius X Church on Friday 13 December, at 9:30 a.m.  A private interment will be held at a later date. Flowers are gratefully accepted or in lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Gathering Place.

Schedule

Visitations

2-4 p.m. on December 11, 2019

7-9 p.m. on December 11, 2019

2-4 p.m. on December 12, 2019

7-9 p.m. on December 12, 2019

Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map


funeral

9:30am, Friday December 13th

St. Pius X Parish


Condolences

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To Christopher and Anna. Your Mother was a wonderful person, it was an honour to know her. Thank-you for introducing me to her so long ago. It is a tough loss.

Sorry to learn of Marg’s passing. She was a truly lovely lady with a zest for life. My condolences to her family and her many friends.

Rest well, Marg. We’ll miss you.
Deepest condolences to all the family.

Anna, Frank, Chris & Grandchildren.
My sincere condolences to all of you on the death of your Mom. Your Mom was a real pleasure to know & I always looked forward to meeting her usually in Churchill Square. She had such a vibrant personality & enjoyed great conversation.
God Bless you all.

Anna, Frank, Chris, and grandchildren,

My memories of Aunt Marg, as a child, and as an adult, are of what a presence she was – so strong – and always with such interesting things to say.

She was always engaged and pulled you into her enthusiasm. When I expressed an interest in photography as a boy, she gave me a great photography book which I still have today.

Like many people who have left notes here, we have one of her famous quilts which Rebecca still sleeps with every night.

I am sure you will hear many great stories as you celebrate her life. I wish I could be there to hear some of them.

Myself, Susan, Sarah and Rebecca are thinking about you all.

All the best,

Mark Crosbie and family

Chris – we were very sad to hear about your mom’s passing. Thinking about you at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Stan, Fredi and Michelle Caines

Anna and Family;

I’m very sorry to hear the news of your Mom’s passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences to you all.

Marg truly was one of a kind . We had lots of fun together over lunch in Churchill Square on many occasions . May she rest in peace .

Anna, so sorry to learn about your mom’s passing. Your mom was great company over the years and I will miss her dearly.

Chris

Marg, and Gerry were dear friends of ours in Gander for many years. Dave and I still use a bread knife they gave us for a wedding gift 63 years ago.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Family at this time.
Anne and Dave Reed.

Anna & Family;

So sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing. She was absolutely delightful to be around. She will be remembered for her enormous personality, incredible sense of humour, love of her family, beautiful colourful cardigans and welcoming nature always inviting to come and have a cup of tea…”tell them Marg Armstrong sent you,,” she’d say! Bless her heart. She will be dearly missed…

May all the loving memories and wealth of Maggie’s stories help you during this difficult time…

Bless…♥️♥️♥️

Sincerely,

Tina RN

Chris,
I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. From reading her beautiful obituary, I can see she was vibrant, and lived a very full happy life. I see now where you got your smarts, charismatic personality and lust for life.
I am thinking of you and your family at this time. Take comfort in eachother, and your cherished memories.

So sorry to hear of Mrs. Kearney’s passing it was a privilege to meet her. I loved hearing her stories, her talking about her family her adventures. She was a wealth of information and a very nice person she aways made me smile on her visits to the Eye Clinic .
Although it has been awhile I will truly miss her . My thoughts are with you all at this time and know she was a very special person.

Sincerest condolences to the Kearney Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Sheri Ford

Dear Frank and Ruth,
So sorry to hear of your wonderful mom’s passing.. no matter the age , it is very hard to accept that your parent is no longer there for you. Hugs, it was great to see you both in October and hope to see you again ., Christine Crewe

Chris and family
Very sorry to hear of your moms passing . She sounds like an amazing women . Hold your memories dear.

So sorry for your loss.
I have some great memories, so many.

Dear Chris and Anna,
I am still making good use of a beautiful quilt your mother completed in 1999.
My condolences to you and yours.
Sincerely, D’Arcy Duggan,
Edmonton, Alberta.

Dear Anna, Chris and family — Your mom was a warm and friendly person who touched many lives. We’re glad to have had the chance to know her. Our condolences to you all for the loss of a very special person.

Dear Anna and family – I have just seen Mrs. Kearney’s obituary and was very impressed by her long and giving life to family, friends and community. To copy her saying ” you must be some glad her mother had her”.
Please accept my condolences for your loss of a wonderful mother.

Bob Hall

Mrs. Kearney was my neighbour on St. Thomas Line for many years. We often had a chat when we met while I was out for a walk or at the mailboxes. She was a wonderful lady….kind, straighforward, no-nonsense with a razor-sharp wit. We need more people like her. My sincere condolences to her family. I am sure that you have numerous happy memories to treasure.

Sorry for your loss.Your mom was a wonderful lady
I was her hair stylist while I was at Kenny’s Pond
Loved her ,
My condolences to all your family.
Evelyn

Condolences to all family and friends of Marg..Especially noting Anna-Chris–Frank–I go back a goodly number of years, possibly around the time Gerry went into the Avalon Mall-starting Kearney Watch Repair–We still go there.–So sorry to read Marg’s obit. today’s Telegram.Our thoughts and prayers are with you–God Bless–Jim/Wife Nelia Campbell–St John’s NL.

Hi Anna, Chris and Frank;
Very sorry to hear about Marg. I let Ruth know yesterday. Marg was very kind to Ruth when she was in the hospital. Kind to all of us, certainly. Sorry I can’t be there, don’t get to St. John’s as much as I used to. But still kicking and ticking. Wish I had a phone number for you Anna. I also wish I had one of Marg’s Christmas cakes! sincerely, Michael

Sincere Sympathy on the loss of your loved one. A special Lady.

Our sincerest condolences to the family, as Louise and I were quite good friends. A mother really is the shepherd to the flock and with that come many memories. I hope that you can call on them in this difficult time ahead. Our prayers are with you.

Fabian Hartery & family

Our hearts are with you and the whole family in these difficult times. The nurturing of a strong and successful family , with a warm and welcoming ethos, is another great accompl;ishment we can reflect on. Our deepest condolences to the entire family.

Philippe, Olga and Diego

Sincere Condolences on your loss. Thru my husband Al Margaret and I became friends. She showed me how to whip up an apple pie in a blink. A very all arround accomplished woman. RIP

Mrs Kearney was a customer at my moms salon Marion’s Hair Designs. And from there I have many fond memories of her! My deepest condolences to the family, she will be forever missed. Xo

My Deepest condolences to all of the Family
I certainly enjoyed listening to Margaret’s stories Loved her wit and charm,she certainly had a way with words
Thanks Lovely Lady
Mary Sutton-Housekeeeper

The first time I interviewed Marg Kearney was in the kitchen of her Arnold’s Loop home to chat about her brand new appliance — an electric bread-making machine. Only Marg could turn that five minutes into an engaging piece of live radio (and no doubt, increase sales of the machines)! Our paths crossed numerous times thereafter, generating interviews about her treasured decades-old friendship with a group of women she’d first met in Kindergarten to the role of women in WWII and her service with the Royal Canadian Navy. When I began working in the CBC Radio Archives, I encountered examples of her past work as a CBC contributor for a variety of regional and network programs. She never minded when I gave her a call to pick her brain about this or that. She was a remarkable woman who enthusiastically embraced life with curiosity, candour, and kindness. It was a pleasure to get to know her, even a little bit. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.