February 22, 1920 - September 9, 2021
Margit Helena Lindquist, née Andersson, passed away peacefully on Sept 9th, 2021 at the age of 101. She was a longtime resident at The Gardens in Qualicum Beach. Margit was predeceased by her husband, Henry Lindquist, in 1990. Also by her sister Signe and brother Erik who lived in Sweden.
Margit was born on Febrary 22, 1920 in Björnlunda parish in Sweden. After school, she moved to Stockholm where she worked in a quaint restaurant in Gamla Stan, the Old Town, next to the Royal Palace - Queen Louise (Mountbatten) came in often for afternoon tea. The Swedish Academy, the Nobel Institute and the Stock Exchange were next door. Margit's toes became forever crooked after running in high heels up and down the steep stairs in the medieval cellar vaults. Margit told stories about clandestine meetings in different languages in the restaurant during WWII .The "Kaffegillet"restaurant was owned by an older relative who hoped that Margit would take it over. Instead Margit met a handsome typesetter and good soccer player, Henry, who planned to emigrate to Canada. Henry left Sweden in 1951 and Margit in the spring of 1952. She travelled on the ocean liner "Gripsholm" from Gothenburg to Halifax, where she continued by train across Canada. On the second day in Vancouver she got a job in a restaurant, started more advanced classes in English and rejoined her fiancé. After a while they opened a small deli in Prince George specializing in Scandinavian food. After a few years they moved to Prince Rupert where Henry´s skills as a butcher and master salmon smoker flourished. They first established The Alberta Market on 5th Street across from the Savoy Hotel and in the 60's built Henry´s BY-Market on Hays Cove Ave that served the locals and supplied fishing boats and Mining Camps with large orders of Groceries and meats. Margit ran a "tight ship" in the store while Henry was out making the deliveries. As Conrad school was nearby, Margit knew all the Childeren who came to the store and the children all got to know Henry and Margit. Even today some of those kids have fond memories of Margit & Henry in the New store.
They were heavily involved in curling and attended many bonspiels. Scandinavian dancing, celebrations & trips back to Sweden were welcome breaks. In 1977 they retired and relocated to Qualicum Beach where they continued to Curl, play bridge and took up lawn bowling making many friends. Margit took up painting that together with reading were her favourite subjects in school. With more time to travel, she visited her niece Annette in Boston, took many bus trips around the country and became an avid cruise passenger all over the Western world. Ever since her youth in Sweden Margit was adventurous and loved to travel. Margit was a very observant and accomplished woman. Margit is missed by a sister-in-law, nephews and nieces in Sweden, Henry´s nephew and family in Prince George and many friends in Canada.
As per Margits request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Margits name to : Northern Lights Wildlife Society or Prince Rupert SPCA.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesmemorial.ca
Yates Memorial Services