April 16, 1937 - May 23, 2019
It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, grandmother, and aunt, Maggie Wallingham. Mom passed away on May 23rd, 2019 — with Mayday trees abloom. Maggie was a Yukoner and belonged to Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation. She was born in Dawson City and raised in Mayo to parents Rose and Sam Mason-Wood.
Maggie filled an immense space in all of our hearts and lives — she is leaving behind her brother Simon Mason-Wood (Kim); children Elaine (John) McLeod, Sam (Maureen) Wallingham, and Walter (Wendy) Wallingham; eight grandchildren Ben, Bronwyn, Erin, Desley, Lauren, Tess, Patty, and Joe; twelve great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Shirley Tocher; many nieces and nephews; and many kindred spirits who she saw as her own (Charly, Muriel, Oscar, Linda, Louie, and Pat, to name a few). Maggie was predeceased by her husband Dick Wallingham and sister Eileen Shilleto.
Maggie met her best friend Dick Wallingham in Mayo, where they married in 1954. Many people will remember Maggie and Dick as the owners of the Chateau Mayo Hotel which they ran from the 1950s to the 1980s. They spent most of their summers at Ethel Lake, a very special place for Maggie and her family. The Chateau burned in the spring of 1987. The following year Maggie and Dick moved to Whitehorse to start a new chapter in their lives. Maggie had a passion for gardening, camping, cooking, playing darts, crocheting, quilting and painting. Maggie was an avid curling fan and loved following her youngest grandchildren's curling careers.
Mom, you were our best friend. We will miss your company and our lives won't be the same without you. We will miss your stories, your good advice when we are lost, your cozy couch when we are sick, your ability to connect with your grandkids and their friends, your knowledge of the Mayo lineage and how we are all connected, your beautiful garden, your lessons on the best way to prepare moose, your knitted rainbow mittens, your warmth, and your sense of humour.
Our thanks to all the Kusawa House staff at the Whistle Bend Continuing Care Facility for their care and compassion. A special thank you to Maggie's lifelong friend, Ruth McIntyre, for her support.
At Maggie's request there will not be a service. She passed away from esophageal cancer. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Yukon Cancer Society.