RETI, Margaret: September 20th, 1928 - July 17th, 2015 Margaret Reti passed away peacefully in Kelowna, Canada, at age 86, supported and cared for by her loving family. After living fully and courageously with pancreatic cancer (diagnosed in April 2012), she followed her beloved husband of 66 years, Paul Reti, just five weeks after he died. Margaret touched the lives of many, especially the members of her large, close-knit family. With her intellect, beauty, artistry and devotion to loved ones, she leaves a unique legacy. A beacon of strength, she was determined and forthright. Yet despite her pragmatic approach to life, she always offered tender and loving care, relishing her special relationship with babies and small children. She provided valuable counsel to family members, friends, and colleagues with her practical wisdom, analytical skills and innovative thinking. Margaret was born to Sandor and Adele Farkas in Apatin, Yugoslavia in 1928. With older brother John, she spent her youth on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, where she developed her lifelong love of water through swimming, rowing and boating. Her family moved to Budapest, Hungary in 1947 and she continued her water activities on the Danube - rowing and swimming regularly across the river. She met Paul at the University of Budapest, where they both studied Economics. They were married in 1949, graduating three years later, when she began her stellar career as a statistician. For political reasons, the Retis immigrated to Calgary, Canada in 1957, with their young children and Margaret's recently widowed mother. Margaret started as a dishwasher at the Ranchmen's Club, and, with her gift for languages, she quickly learned English. Hired as a typist at Oilweek Magazine in the early 1960s, she soon became Associate Editor. Subsequently, she drew on her statistical and editorial capabilities to continue her career at the Registrar's Office of the University of Calgary, and later as an academic appointment at U of C's Office of Institutional Research. In 1975 Margaret and Paul retired to Kelowna, but moved back to a brand new home in Calgary in 1979 and travelled between Alberta and the Okanagan for the next twenty years. From 1982 to 2000, they also enjoyed sunny winters in Palm Springs, California, with many visits from their growing family. Margaret's creative life flourished after retirement. As an artist, she explored her love of nature, portraying water and light through acrylic painting. Gulf Oil's Art Committee in Calgary acquired paintings for their permanent collection and sponsored two major showings of her work in the 1980's. One exhibit also devoted a section to her mother's unique needlepoints. Margaret created over 120 canvases in 15 years, the majority of which are captured in a 2014 legacy book dedicated to her painting. Her passion for water also influenced her grandchildren, who swam in Lake Okanagan and learned to water-ski behind her sparkly speedboat. She beamed while her seemingly airborne boat (with the nose of a Concord jet) pounded at the waves, to the joy of her nervous passengers. She was still water-skiing on her 75th birthday and she continued daily swims well into her 80's. An excellent and versatile cook, Margaret continued her mother's legacy of Hungarian specialties such as lecso, chicken paprika and chestnut cake. The dream house she built on the edge of Okanagan Lake in 1997 was a home filled with delicious meals and happy memories. The beautiful grounds surrounding their home are a testament to Margaret's love of gardening and Paul's love of trees. She is survived by her four children: Alexander, George (Marilyn), Judith (Roland Plessis), and Elisabeth (Brian Dickinson); twelve grandchildren: (Reti) Natalie, Julianne, Christina, Jordan, Justin, (Plessis) Suzanne, Olivier, Nadine, Isabelle, (Dickinson) Samantha, Anne, and Evan. She also leaves behind an ever-increasing number of great-grandchildren. All of us will miss her deeply. A special thank you to Dr. Michael Koss and the Provincial Palliative Care Nursing Staff, who made it possible for Margaret to remain at home during her illness. The family is also grateful to Kelowna Hospice House, where Margaret spent the last four days of her life. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com . Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299
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