May 31, 1941 – March 7, 2026
We are heartbroken to share that Margaret Jean Kaplanis passed away at age 84 on March 7, 2026. After a tough fight with cancer over the last four years, she was surrounded by her husband and family in her final moments.
Margaret was born in Winnipeg Manitoba and lived a lively life. She loved sharing stories from her childhood on the Manitoba prairies and about her teen summers working at the Narrows gift shop in Sioux Narrows. When she told these stories, she did it with lots of humor and always focused on happy memories. Even recently in hospital, her son John noted how clearly she could remember things from early childhood-like friendships before she was a teen and her fondness for her dog Pixie!
Her love for life showed through in raising a family with her husband Robert, whom she married almost 60 years ago in Thunder Bay. Together they raised two kids, John and Lori. Margaret took great pride in raising them, managing their home, cooking meals, baking treats, and caring deeply for those around her. She also passed these caring qualities on to her children. People remember Margaret as a talented artist who enjoyed painting, crafts, and sewing-she made many garments on her trusty Singer machine and always took pride in what she created. Her later years were spent enjoying retirement summers at their Silver Islet cottage with Robert. For nearly 25 years after retiring, they looked forward to escaping cold Thunder Bay winters by traveling south to Florida’s Gulf Coast where Margaret made new friends and kept busy doing the things she loved.
Margaret had a special bond with her grandchildren Matthew and Ashleigh too. They shared countless summers filled with fun adventures at the Silver Islet cottage! Her grandkids would say Nana Marg had quite the personality – full of humor and spunk! She really was one of a kind. Even when times were tough or scary, she saw chances to keep going forward. When nights were dark she’d help everyone find light again. She stayed cheerful and hopeful even while dealing with cancer.
Margaret was predeceased by daughter Lori but leaves behind husband Robert; son John (Donna); grandchildren Matthew (Sarina) and Ashleigh (Evan).
The Kaplanis family want to thank all the wonderful nurses at Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Treatment Center especially those on floor section 2B for their amazing care during this time.
A private family gathering will be held later to celebrate Margaret’s life.
Arrangements are being handled by EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL at 299 Waverley Street near Algoma.
Please feel free to leave your condolences online at everestofthunderbay. com
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