 1933 - 2019 (86 years)
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| Name |
Margaret Evelyn Humphys |
| Born |
1933 |
| Gender |
Female |
| Died |
6 Jan 2019 |
| Person ID |
I5138 |
Family Tree |
| Last Modified |
7 Sep 2023 |
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| Notes |
- THE REVEREND DOCTOR MARGARET EVELYN FLECK After 86 fulfilling years, Margaret died peacefully with her husband, Jim, holding her hand on Sunday evening, January 6, 2019, Epiphany, and the 34th anniversary of her ordination as a minister. She spent her primary school years in the care of her cousins in Winnipeg. Later she attended Central Collegiate in London, Ontario where she developed choreographic and dancing skills. At the University of Western Ontario, her extracurricular activities included cheerleading and tap dancing in the Purple Patches annual revue. Her love of music and dancing proved to be formative. It was on a Montréal football weekend in 1951 that the cheerleader Margaret met the cymbal-playing band member, Jim. Although he was her third date of the evening, that date started a partnership that included over 65 years of marriage, and gave us Robert (1954), Ellen (1958), David (1959), and Christopher (1969). She presided over the family as they moved to Asia, Europe and the U.S.; that included six houses in eight years in Japan, France, and Boston, followed by 52 years in one house in Toronto. Grandchildren followed; Jamie, Erin, Seymore, parented by Robert and Elaine and co-raised by Gary; Quinn and Devon from David and Yvonne, followed by two adorable great-grands, Marion and Corrina by Jamie and Bruno. When the family returned from Boston to Toronto in 1966, Margaret was solicited by the priest of the St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church to take over a youth group of four young people which she named "DJ's" (Disciples of Jesus) expanding over the next few years to 53. Her group thought calling her Mrs. Fleck was too formal and Margaret was too informal, so they settled on "Flash" to recognize the speed of her movement. That experience started her on a path that lead from the Centre for Christian Studies and the Episcopal Divinity School, to a Master of Divinity and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity at Trinity College, University of Toronto. Ordained in 1984, Margaret served in four parishes and was a volunteer hospital chaplain. She was also deeply involved in Loft Community Services and the Sisterhood of St John the Divine. After her retirement, she carried on as Honourary Associate Priest and as part of the Pastoral Care team at St. Augustine. Margaret lightened up a room with her smile and interacted easily and intuitively with others. Always curious and observant, her travel included 19 years of biking in Europe and many Mediterranean music cruises. Toward the end of her life she faced many difficult medical challenges and felt ready to move on. We will all miss her ebullience, warmth and remarkable generosity of spirit. The funeral will take place at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 21 at Trinity College Chapel, University of Toronto, 6 Hoskin Ave. with overflow, if required, in the Fleck Atrium, Rotman School, 105 St. George Street just around the corner. Reception following in Seeley Hall to meet the family and reminisce. In lieu of flowers, Margaret would love you to donate to LOFT Community Services.
--Published by The Globe and Mail from Jan. 12 to Jan. 22, 2019.
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