September 3, 1960 - August 7, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with immense heartbreak and disbelief that we announce the tragic loss of Margaret Douglas of Black Creek. Predeceased by her parents, Franz and Herta Obexer and brother-in-law Chuck Brabazon. She will be greatly missed by husband Fred Hinz, sister Irene Brabazon, brother Peter Obexer, nephew Mikal Birtwistle (Jen) and great nieces Alexandra and Josephine, stepson Theo and his sister Hannah (David).
Margaret was born September 3rd, 1960 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Comox. She was the middle child of three to parents Franz and Herta Obexer, a hard working farm family established in Black Creek in 1957. The farm was one of Margaret's favourite places growing up learning to work hard and take pride in a job well done.
She attended school at Halbe Hall, Black Creek Elementary, Tsolum, Courtenay Junior and Vanier but she could not wait to get home after school and run free on the farm with the cows, she was a free spirit! As a child and teenager, summer hay time was special with friends and neighbours all coming together to share the workload. The best was the summer of 1977 when sister Irene left for Europe, leaving at home her green Chevelle. Margaret drove that car every day to school and everywhere, testing its limits and calling herself the 'Hell driver, hay girl'. She graduated from Vanier in 1978, so happy to wear the dress she had bought in Hawaii that spring, her 1st trip abroad.
Her first job off of the farm was at CCC. Auction Barns for Bud, this is where she met Steven Douglas. He was kind and spoiled Margaret, showing her there was life and fun outside of the farm. It was a new and exciting time being introduced to horses and the rodeo life, travelling to Oklahoma then to Disneyland. They built a log cabin on the farm then later moved to Howard Rd. into the large home they had built. She enjoyed learning about construction - it was better than school.
In 1984, she tried her hand and long legs at Volleyball and loved it. For 40 years, her passion was not only for the game, but for the lifelong friends she made along the way. Sports were a key part of her life. When she started playing slo-pitch in 1989, there was no stopping her! Her energy and athletic ability took her to the slo-pitch provincials and then nationals in Quebec with her team 'The Wannabeez'. It was a great memory.
At the Nautical Days tournament in 1989, Margaret met Roy Cardinal and it was the start of a new relationship and adventures. After trying her hand at several jobs, it was clear that she would never be content working for someone else. So, in 1990, with her silver Ford and trailer, she started TLC Home and Property Maintenance. Milking cows for Oscar in the evening, Margaret slowly built up clients with a fire in her to provide the very best service possible - which she did for over 32 years.
Many of you will remember Margaret and her awesome crew tending the gardens that line the streets of Courtenay, Comox and Campbell River. The Mile of Flowers was close to her heart. Margaret worked hard and put much of her life into getting the job done right, earning respect from her clients. As a boss she was firm, fair and kind. Margaret was appreciative of all who worked for her over the years. Those first years of growing her business were not easy but Margaret also made sure to enjoy curling, Jays and Canucks games.
In 2004, her family went on a trip to Europe visiting Germany and Poland to walk the trails of Mom's early years then to Italy and Austria to walk the path of Dad's youth. It was a wonderful month of laughter, love, and a time of family bonding. This was not just an amazing trip, it was one of Margaret's most cherished memories.
Margaret made many friends playing with 'The Lost Soles' slo-pitch team before becoming an 'Oyster River Rat'. She was happy to join a team that chose Black Creek as their home field. The old field was in very poor condition. Margaret was excited to take a lead role organizing the repairs needed and then maintaining it. She recognized it was the perfect place for friends, families and neighbours to gather to play a game, laugh, and share life - it would be the start of Margaret's 30 year dedication to The Black Creek Community Association. She volunteered and sat on the board, working with the Fall Fair, it was very special to her. Here, she would create a special bond with her good friend Janet Marriott. The two would always be there for each other, especially at life's hardest times and greatest losses.
In 2010 Margaret celebrated turning 50 by seeing more of the world with friends and family adding Israel and Australia to countries she had been. Margaret also loved being home on the farm. That year, she was reacquainted with Fred Hinz and they fell in love. Margaret had found the man she wanted to share her life with. Along with Fred, and his young son Theo, the three shared all the things Margaret knew and loved. They started their own little herd of Jersey Cows. She was always smiling when she talked about the birth of the calves and picking the names. Margaret started going to Fred's band jam sessions and found a new love of music, she even joined in singing with the band. Margaret and Fred took winter trips to Mexico and Costa Rica then in summer drove to Alaska with Theo. Hay time was always a special time. Margaret was proud to share this time with her Mom Herta who lived with them in the perfect little suite she had built for her. Theo was an amazing part of Margaret's life. She loved his basketball games and introducing him and Fred to her volleyball gang. Over the years, the farm dogs were a big part of her life. So, in 2022, puppy Waldo entered their life and they all shared the joy of raising him together on the farm.
In the spring of 2023, only a year after losing her father, Margaret would lose her Mom, suddenly, to cancer. It was an incredibly hard time. That fall Margaret and Fred went to a dude ranch. The open country riding horses gave her a sense of freedom and rejuvenation after all the heartbreak and loss.
Margaret had not felt like herself all winter of '23/24 and by the spring she was diagnosed with cancer and began her own journey, and in true Margaret fashion she said 'no biggie'. She was strong, determined, and positive. After a short but incredibly brave fight for her life, Margaret was ready for peace and passed away on August 7th, 2024 at home on the farm with family by her side. There are no words to fully express our sense of loss. Margaret was a beloved wife, sister, aunt, step-mom, friend and neighbour and a huge part of the Black Creek community.
Margaret with her all embracing and glorious smile touched many lives. We struggle every day to understand the loss of this amazing person who was a force of life with the strongest of spirits.
Her personality was the perfect blend of strength and confidence with kindness, calm, gentleness and generosity. Margaret loved life and saw beauty in the simple things like her morning dog walks through the pastures on the farm, and being in the raspberry patch with Mom. She enjoyed working with Dad and her amazing garden. She was always helping others, teaching and problem solving. She was always the first one to jump in and help. She loved prawns, a good steak with a glass of red wine, apple-pie, nature and everything about fall.
Many thanks to Dr. Dawes, the Comox Valley Hospital 3rd Floor and palliative care teams. We are so grateful to Evelyn Caruthers for her dedication to being there for Margaret as a caregiver and friend. A special thank-you to Janet for always being there for her. A heartfelt thanks to all of you who visited her, shared a story and took her back to a better time.
On August 16th Margaret was laid to rest beside her parents at the Black Creek cemetery surrounded by family and friends. It was a sunny day filled with love for Margaret. Thank-you to Pastor Mike and Laura Biddel for the wonderful eulogy, kindness and support and thank-you also to Piercy's for taking care of arrangements. Margaret was very clear that she wanted a big party at the Black Creek Hall to celebrate her life with stories, pictures, great food, wine, music and laughter. This celebration will be in the spring, 2025 with details to be posted at a later date online at Dignity Memorial.
Dear Margaret,
We will see you on the mountain trails, in the bold colours of the sunset.
We will hear you in the gentle gurgling of the Black Creek waters flowing peacefully through the early morning mists.
We will feel your strength in the majestic cedars that lead us to the clear, crisp pools of the Oyster River
You are there in the sparkle in Alexandra and Josephine's eyes as Mikal shares stories of Aunt Margaret
We hear you in the whispers of the fall wind, and the rustling of the crisp maple leaves on your well walked paths.
We will feel your heart pounding in our chests during those final moments of Theo's basketball games
We will see you reaching for that last juicy berry in the patch and tending to the garden, and your smile when leaving your harvest at the neighbour's door.
We will forever hear you at the Black Creek Community Hall, you are there in the children's laughter and joy as they experience life and fun.
We will forever be seeing you Margaret, your smile and your spirit, running free as that girl on the farm.
For those wishing to honour Margaret's life, please make a donation in her name to the Black Creek Community Association or the Canadian Cancer Society. Please consider becoming a volunteer in your community.
