Greater Saint John Community Foundation, Margaret Willis Fund

In Northfield, Vermont, on December 29, 1964, Margaret Willis came into a large and loving family, including her sisters Mary, Katherine, Elizabeth and Elaine and brother Stephen, who were “mad about her” as the youngest of six. A bright, undemanding child with a happy disposition, sh Greater Saint John Community Foundation e was beloved by them all.

Her parents were Professor Philip and Christie (Arthurs) Willis, originally of the Saint John area. The Willis family operated The Golden Grove Woolen Mill Co. Ltd for several generations. Professor Willis served in South East Asia during World War II on loan to the Royal Navy, concluding his career as Lieutenant Commander, SB. Mrs. Willis taught school and had a flair for the visual arts as a painter. In addition to their six children, at one time the family welcomed an Ethiopian student to be part of their lives. He still maintains contact with them today. When the family eventually returned to Saint John, Professor Willis, a graduate of UNB and Dalhousie, taught Economics at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John, from where he retired.

Margaret attended Golden Grove and Forest Hills Elementary Schools in Saint John. Her love for dance developed at the Rothesay Ballet School and for the next 10 years, became a special joy. She learned to play the viola, loved music and art, was a top student, competitive and with marks of straight A’s. The family attended St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Rothesay, while living in Golden Grove, on the French Village Road, next to St. Patrick’s Church. They all enjoyed rural life and the outdoors.

After battling an illness for over a year, Margaret died at age 15, on June 28, 1980 in Halifax at the Isaak Walton Killam Hospital for children. Throughout her illness, she never lost the keen sense of humour and zest for life which were salient features of her personality. In celebration of her life and her love of ballet, Margaret’s family has established an endowed annual award to two promising students, junior and senior, of the Rothesay Ballet School. Further contributions to the fund are welcome. The Greater Saint John Community Foundation has been entrusted with the fund.

The Margaret Willis Awards Fund In Northfield, Vermont, on December 29, 1964, Margaret Willis came into a large and loving family, including her sisters Mary, Katherine, Elizabeth and Elaine and brother Stephen, who were “mad about her” as the youngest of six. A bright, undemanding child with a happy disposition, she was beloved by them all. Her parents were Professor Philip and Christie (Arthurs) Willis, originally of the Saint John area. The Willis family operated The Golden Grove Woolen Mill Co. Ltd for several generations. Professor Willis served in South East Asia during World War II on loan to the Royal Navy, concluding his career as Lieutenant Commander, SB. Mrs. Willis taught school and had a flair for the visual arts as a painter. In addition to their six children, at one time the family welcomed an Ethiopian student to be part of their lives. He still maintains contact with them today. When the family eventually returned to Saint John, Professor Willis, a graduate of UNB and Dalhousie, taught Economics at the University of New Brunswick, Saint John, from where he retired. Margaret attended Golden Grove and Forest Hills Elementary Schools in Saint John. Her love for dance developed at the Rothesay Ballet School and for the next 10 years, became a special joy. She learned to play the viola, loved music and art, was a top student, competitive and with marks of straight A’s. The family attended St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Rothesay, while living in Golden Grove, on the French Village Road, next to St. Patrick’s Church. They all enjoyed rural life and the outdoors. After battling an illness for over a year, Margaret died at age 15, on June 28, 1980 in Halifax at the Isaak Walton Killam Hospital for children. Throughout her illness, she never lost the keen sense of humour and zest for life which were salient features of her personality. In celebration of her life and her love of ballet, Margaret’s family has established an endowed annual award to two promising students, junior and senior, of the Rothesay Ballet School. Further contributions to the fund are welcome. The Greater Saint John Community Foundation has been entrusted with the fund.