ends or else the pipes would freeze. Also, the local post office was housed in the front of the same building - my office was in the back. The facilities didn’t bother me. I loved my job and I was doing what I wanted to do." Later on the public health offices were provided in the new addition to Community Hospital.

In addition to her office work, Margaret spent many hours on the road. She joked about her driving skills, explaining that she couldn’t back up for about two years after getting her license. She noted in passing that the reason why so many people knew her was because they were always pulling her out of the ditch!

In 1951 Margaret met Cliff Ellis who was a local insurance agent. Five years later, in June, 1956, she and Clifford were married in the Brae. The wedding was very private - the only person who knew about it was her mother.

Cliff and Margaret both shared an interest in horses and racing. He owned race horses and on weekends and holidays they were off to the races. She had quite a flair for picking the winning horse. At one time Margaret owned her own race horse called Marion E. - a winner in every race in which she was entered!

Although they had no children, their nieces and nephews, for the most part, took the place of having a family of their own. They frequently spent Christmas together and were very close. Margaret enjoyed all children and in return they all loved her.

Margaret helped many families in this part of the Island. One was that of Frankie Stewart. When the children’s mother died, Margaret, a close relative and friend of the family, became sort of a godmother to them.

Margaret contributed to the community in many ways. The most outstanding of these was her pioneering work with the mental retar- dation in West Prince. Another high point of Margaret’s career involved her work with children who had maple sugar disease (MSVD) and hyperglycemia. Margaret provided the liaison between the Atlantic Research Centre and these families. Also, Margaret worked with numerous organizations and committees such as Canadian Heart Foundation, CWL, United Way, Canadian Association for the Mentally Handicapped, Cancer Society, West Prince Arts Council and many others.

During Centennial year, 1973, Margaret knit 100 pairs of mitts, For the Potato Blossom Festival parade she displayed these on an alder bush and sat knitting in her rocking chair. Later, the mitts were given to needy families.

On January 7, 1979, Margaret retired from public health nursing

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