Margo Harris remembered as kind and generous
June 21, 2022
Motivated by the desire to help others, Margo Harris gave selflessly without hesitation.
On June 20, beneficiaries of her generosity, those with whom she shared relationships and others showed gratitude at a celebration of her life at a packed Chapel Ridge Funeral Home in Markham.
Harris, who succumbed to colon cancer 10 days earlier, was 64.
Before migrating to Canada, she spent 27 years with the defunct British West Indian Airways (BWIA).
Based in Barbados, she was Airport Ticketing Representative, Acting Ramp Supervisor, Baggage Co-ordinator and Airport Representative in Haiti, Grenada and Jamaica. Coming to Toronto in 1990, she was a Reservation Agent, Promotions Co-ordinator and Sales & Marketing Executive before joining Caribbean Airlines as an Account Executive.
Harris also spent time with the Destiny Group of Companies as Business Development Manager, Arvato Services as a Supervisor and the RMR Group as Manager of Tourism Sales & Caribbean Marketing.
Then BWIA Account Executive Margo Harris with Michelle Marshall and late tourism executive Andy Parris in March 1999 (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
In the eulogy, former Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Representative in Canada Erica Henry-Jackman said Harris was the quintessential Caribbean woman.
“Margo’s passion for the islands of the Caribbean and the travel industry were on public display in all the amazing events she curated across Canada,” said the Brampton Economic Development Foreign Direct Investment Co-ordinator for Africa & the Caribbean. “She offered the Canadian travel industry and travellers her love for all things Caribbean and her energies and unique perspective on the 33 island nations.
“She believed religiously that travel professionals have a unique opportunity to provide travellers with an authentic look at history and heritage, music and culture, sports and education. Simply put, she wanted travellers to meet the many faces of the Caribbean. She believed so much about who we are and who we could be could be learnt if we had the opportunity to travel and explore other cultures.”
Raised in a Christian environment in Barbados, Harris worshipped with her family at Calvary Moravian Church where she sang with her mother Dorothy Yarde and only sibling Sonia Fredericks who predeceased her in October 2016 and January 2017 respectively. She also started the church’s Chorale.
Her father, Randolph Yarde, is also deceased.
Harris parents’ black pudding and souse were popular with Bajans. Deceased Prime Minister Owen Arthur was among the many regular patrons who lined up for the traditional Saturday lunch.
On a stopover in Toronto in 2001 while on his way to Quebec City for the Summit of the Americas meeting, he was excited to see Harris at a function at a downtown hotel.
“Margo, your mother still making good black pudding and souse,” he told her.
Migrating to Toronto after her 1989 marriage, Harris – who also worked part-time at Eaton’s Financial Credit Corporation-- quickly became an integral member of New Dawn Moravian Church Toronto.
She was the Board of Trustees President, Vice-President of the Elders Board, Co-ordinator of the Women’s Group and Synod Representative. She was also instrumental in the church establishing a steelpan section for members.
Pastor Rowan Simmons said Harris was the face of the church.
“Margo never backed down from being called a servant of God,” he pointed out. “She always sought out the opportunity to serve and do good for all others. She may not have been a pastor, but to be in her company and watching her service over the years, she deserved to be wearing a (clergy) gown. When I broached the subject with her, she said she didn’t want to be tied down to a specific church.”
Margo Harris making a presentation to former St. Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Before falling ill, Harris was part of the planning committee for a Moravian World Women’s conference in 2024.
Reverend Nasel Ephraim, who succeeded Harris as president of Eastern District, said her predecessor was a beautiful soul who affected lives in many ways.
“The gifts she brought to the table, the professionalism and the passion that held us together over these years, her kindness and the contribution of kingdom business are moments that strengthened us,” said the pastor of Redeemer Moravian Church in Philadelphia. “Our hearts are heavy, but we are better today because of Sister Margo’s life.”
Harris was a member of several cultural organizations, including House of Culture where she was Vice-President and the Caribbean Chorale of Toronto founded in 1993.
“Over the years, she served faithfully both as a member and officer, holding positions of President, Vice-President and Chair of many standing committees,’ said close friend Leonora Benjamin. “She willingly and cheerfully gave her all to whatever task she undertook, no matter how large or small. She always sought to ensure that through its contributions to organizations such as the Caribbean Children’s Foundation, the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario and Camp Jumoke to name but a few, the Chorale remained true to that aspect of our mission statement, ‘Strengthened by God, we will seek to reach out in love to the wider community’.”
Margo Harris (r) and Leonora Benjamin were honoured at the Caribbean Chorale of Toronto 15th anniversary in September 2008 (Photo by Ron Fanfair)
Members of Toronto Police Service (TPS) 13 Division joined retired Constable Ojo Tewogbade and former Toronto Caribbean Carnival (TCC) administrators Sam Lewis and Gerard Weekes as pallbearers.
“When she first told me of her fate back in September based on the prognosis of her disease, I was heartbroken while she remained unfazed and simply continued as normal,” said Weekes who is the President of House of Culture. “She was a super strong woman. Last December while she could barely walk, she insisted I go with her to purchase 10 hams to give to close friends at Christmas. When I asked why she was doing this now, her reply was, ‘I like to see people happy and Christmas is a time of giving to those for whom I care’. Her wishes to not have her prognosis known during the challenges was mainly because of her not wanting anyone to worry, have pity or feel sorry for her and I kept that secret.”
He said Harris became frustrated in her final days, ‘fighting to stay with us and often speaking about the work she had to do’.
After accepting her fate, she planned her funeral.
Harris was a TCC Festival Manager/Administrator and member of the 13 Division Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC).
Staff Sergeant John Stockfish said the pain of her loss is overwhelming.
“It hit us very hard and very deeply,” he added. “I don’t think I have met anyone with a kinder heart and greater soul. She was so generous and I can attest to that for all the community work she has done over the years.”
Harris, who served as the CPLC treasurer, was unable to attend an event last April recognizing TPS community volunteers.
At the funeral, Stockfish presented the Certificate of Appreciation to Gail King who is her executor.
