Celebrating 104 Years of Faith, Love, and Joy: Margaret Shaw
On January 26, 2026, our parish family at St. Andrew Parish in Vulcan has the great joy of celebrating a truly extraordinary milestone: the 104th birthday of Margaret Shaw. This is not simply a birthday—it is a celebration of a life deeply rooted in faith, prayer, family, and community.
Margaret Shaw was born on January 26, 1922, west of Champion, to Julia and Louis Fath. She completed all of her schooling in Champion before moving to Calgary to train as a teacher. Speaking about that time, Margaret once shared, “I liked being with children. It’s something I thought I’d end up doing.” And indeed, for nearly ten years, she devoted herself to teaching, shaping young minds with care and patience.
In 1950, Margaret married Leslie Shaw. Together they built a life first on a farm in the Brant area, and later, in 1958, on the Shaw homestead west of Vulcan. They were blessed with four sons: Paul (Lac La Biche), Gordon (Saskatchewan), Ray (on the family farm west of Vulcan), and Kevin (Calgary). Margaret and Leslie shared 56 years of marriage, a beautiful witness to love, fidelity, and perseverance. Leslie passed away in 2006, and Margaret continues to carry his memory with grace and strength.
Margaret is a deeply faithful and prayerful member of St. Andrew Parish. She is respected and admired by all who know her—not only because of her age, but because of the way she lives her faith every day. She is community-oriented, attentive to others, and even now continues to support and encourage those around her, always with that beautiful, gentle smile that warms hearts.
I remember telling Margaret that she is my hero. In the heart of winter, when temperatures reach –20°C, Margaret still makes the effort to come to Mass. She could easily say, “I will stay home,” or “I am in a wheelchair,” but that is not who Margaret is. Her son opens the church door, and there she is—over a century of life behind her—present, praying, and fully part of her parish family.
As a parish priest, I feel truly blessed to have parishioners like Margaret. People like her give us good energy, a good spirit, and most importantly, they teach us what faith is really all about—not through words, but through faithful presence, prayer, perseverance, and love for the community.
On this special occasion, we give thanks to God for Margaret’s long and meaningful life. We thank Him for her example, her prayers, and her quiet but powerful witness.
Happy 104th Birthday, Margaret! You are a blessing to our parish, an inspiration to all generations, and a living testimony to a life lived with faith and love.
Please keep Margaret and her family in your prayers as we celebrate this beautiful milestone together.
