Maggie Lee Mulvihill

We have lost our flower child...our free spirit.  Maggie Lee Mulvihill…...always Maggie Muggins to her family.

She was so precious to us.  Our first son, Patrick Michael, had passed a year earlier, 4 days after his birth.  When Louise was pregnant again, we were elated yet fearful. Everybody prayed that this birth would be different.  A boy or a girl...it didn't matter, we just prayed for good health.

Maggie Lee Mulvihill was gifted to us in Sudbury, Ontario, at 19:25 February 8,1980.  All 7lbs, 1oz of her. A baby sister for Melanie.  She was on schedule, an attribute her father was always grateful for. 

By spring we were on our way to Alberta.  Maggie wore nothing but a diaper as we drove across Canada.….arriving in Alberta, April 9, 1980 in the midst of a welcoming spring heatwave.  Ready for her life in the mountains.

Maggie’s life travels have taken Louise and I far abroad.  We fell in love with London, England. Maggie lived there with her husband James.  A year later we visited….still remember her hugs and kisses as we met again.  The joy and laughter as we caught up on her life.

One of my life memories was waiting late at night, on the Richmond Bridge over the River Thames.  Maggie was on the way home from her late shift.  It was a full moon, scores of people spilling out of the closing pubs.  In the darkness I was scanning the crowd looking for her…..and then I saw her, that big smile and a huge hug!

That was followed with more of Europe, back to Canada with Whitehorse, Kaslo and Revelstoke…..all places Louise and I may have never experienced if not for Maggie…...thinking Revelstoke was her favorite.

Maggie had the biggest heart.  On our family trip to San Diego, Maggie was 7 or 8.  We had given her $10 to spend. Couple hours later, Maggie had no monies left.  Having never experienced destitute folks begging, she gave all $10 to the first person she encountered. 

And many memories with Matthew and Melanie.  After grade 12, Louise was taking Melanie to the airport….heading to Sudbury and her grandparents to begin her adult life.

Maggie, Matthew and I were standing in the driveway, waving as Lou and Mel drove off.  Suddenly, Maggie bolted for the house, thought I had better check on her, surprised she was so distraught.  When I found Maggie she was in Melanie’s old room, claiming it and more importantly her phone….throwing out any possessions Mel had left behind. Life was good.

Maggie was not shy to color her hair, any color of the rainbow.  Dad did not handle that well, but I came to respect Maggie for having the self-confidence to carry it off.  Whenever there was any hair dye left over, she would call Matt in and convince him to let her do his hair.  Of course, by this time there was usually only enough left over to do half his hair!  Dad didn’t handle her body piercings well either, but we reached a compromise as Maggie didn’t seem to wear them when visiting.

A crowning achievement was completing her apprenticeship and attaining “Red Seal Baker”.  Baking was one of Maggie’s loves. We were all bursting with pride.  Her cookies and bread were to die for.

And the mountain trails Maggie shared with Dad ….Jacques Lake was the first when she was 8 or 9.   Mt Robson, Jumbo Pass, Mount Bazelgette, Lake O’Hara, Glacier Lake..Jade Pass, Balu Pass, West Coast Trail, Yoho…..so many memories.

It was in Kaslo that Maggie found the truest love of her life,,,,,”Charlie”.  Charlie was an English sheepdog that was good at herding but other dogly skills were of no interest.  But what Charlie had in abundance was unconditional love for Maggie.  A love that was unrelenting for both of them.

Charlie’s passing was a pain that Maggie struggled with every day.  You could see the spark had seemed to dim in Maggie’s eyes, even in her heart.  It was a loss she never got over.

Maggie was home with us for two weeks this past Christmas.  A time for gifts, good food, laughs and memories.  Full of peace and love.

I drove Maggie back to Revelstoke, thru the Icefields, remembering every trail head and hike on the way.  Before I left the next morning, we hugged each other for the longest time, said we loved each other.  It was the last time I saw my Maggie Muggins...January 3/24.

My eternal thought of Maggie’s passing will be of her sitting on her front steps, having a morning smoke when her body just gave out...she was on her way to join Charlie, April 3, 2024.

Maggie, it is so hard to say Good Bye.   Mom, Matthew, Melanie and I …. we love you forever and ever.  We will see you and Charlie on the other side!