Margaret Walker, 96

Meet Margaret Walker

Margaret “Vallie” Walker, known to most as “Queenie,” was born in Bridgewater, one of twelve children in a family rich in determination but with very little else. After losing her mother at just eleven years old, she left school in Grade 7 to help support her family, working in her father’s flower shop, the greenhouses, and later around the sawmill. Life asked a great deal of her at a young age, and through hardship, including the tragic loss of her brother, Vallie carried on with remarkable resilience.

In time, she raised her three boys on a limited income, becoming known for her resourcefulness and creativity. Her baking, especially her glazed donuts, became a staple for those around her, alongside her talents in knitting, crocheting, and flower arranging. She built a life defined not by what she lacked, but by what she created and shared with others.

Humour has always been at the heart of Vallie’s story. From a young age, she began collecting jokes from school and the radio, carefully writing them down and sharing them with anyone who needed a laugh. Over the years, this simple act became something much bigger. To this day, people call her, sometimes even strangers, just to hear one of her jokes, and she never disappoints.

Vallie shared 43 years of marriage with her husband, Joseph, and though she has been widowed for 30 years, she remains deeply connected to her family, including her six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren despite them not living close. She continues to live independently in the home she has cherished for over 70 years, a place filled with memories, laughter, and love.

Now, at 96, Vallie’s wish has come to life. Her lifetime collection of jokes has been thoughtfully compiled into printed books for her loved ones to treasure. To celebrate, she was surrounded by family and friends at her very own “book launching” party, an occasion filled with the same infectious laughter and joy she has so generously shared throughout her life.

Photography: Alex MacAulay Photography