Margaret Laurence

Jean Margaret (Peggy) Wemyss was born in Neepewa, Manitoba on July 18, 1926 to Robert Harrison Wemyss, a lawyer, and Verna Jean, nee Simpson. Margaret’s mother died when she was only four and her father later married her sister, Margaret Cambell Simpson, a teacher and later a librarian. She was throughout the years one of Margaret’s “greatest encouragers.” After her father’s death, when she was nine and her brother still a baby, the family …

…Stone Angel” (1964), “A Jest of God” (1969), “The Fire Dweller’s” (1969), “A Bird in the House” (1970), and “The Diviner’s” (1974). The last decade of her life focused on promoting causes she passionately supported - peace, social justice, the equality of women, environmental protection - through letters, lectures, essays and fund-raising campaigns. Margaret Laurence died on January 5, 1987, and at her request, her ashes were brought by her children to be interred in Riverside Cemetery, Neepawa, on June 23.