Margaret Leona Broad

April 13, 1920-December 23, 2008 - Margaret Broad of North Bay passed away peacefully at her residence on December 23, 2008. She is predeceased by her husband Dr. Jack Broad and by her twin brothers, Frank Block of Sudbury and Lorne Block of New Liskeard.
Margaret was the only daughter of Leo and Elsie Block and was born and raised in Chapleau, Ontario. She attended the University of Toronto and was one of the first women to graduate as a professional Optometrist. Margaret met her husband Jack Broad while attending university and they married in Toronto on June 6, 1942. In 1955, Margaret and Jack moved to North Bay where they established their lifelong home and their optometric practice together. During her career, Margaret made many train trips back to Chapleau in order to provide a much needed health service to her hometown. During her life in North Bay, Margaret was always involved in the community. She was an active member of both the North Bay Golf and Curling clubs and of the IODE. Margaret’s grace and humanity earned her many friends. She will be remembered fondly by many people, especially by her loving family, daughter Barbara Burkett of Toronto, son David Broad and his wife Dale-Marie of North Saanich, BC and by her four devoted Grandchildren, Deborah and Heather Broad of North Saanich, BC, Robert Burkett of Toronto and Erica Burkett and her fiancé, Sylvain Doucet of Haileybury, Ontario.
Rather than having a service at this time, a Memorial service to celebrate her remarkable life will be held in North Bay in early August, 2009. Further information will be made available once arrangements are finalized with Martyn Funeral Home.
Donations to honour Margaret’s memory can be made to St John’s Anglican Church, to the Cassellholme Foundation or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright, Sleep in heavenly peace..