It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Dr. Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess on September 2, 2016. Dr. Hess passed away peacefully at the age of 100.

Dr. Hess was awarded the Calgary Board of Educations Distinguished Alumni award in 2007, and leaves an incredible legacy of supporting various causes through her philanthropic, advocacy and volunteer work.

Dr. Hess’ record of community service covers a wide range of organizations, including EducationMatters, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, the Calgary Red Cross, the United Way, the Calgary Zoological Society, the Rotary Club of Calgary, the RCMP Committee for Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, the Calgary Regional Arts Foundation and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce.

A passionate Calgarian, one of Dr. Hess’ favourite sayings echoed how she lived her life:

Life is a long ride and when we come to the end of it, if we look back and can truthfully say – thank God I rode straight, with my hands and heels down, and my head and heart up – it matters not how tough the going or how stiff the jump, you will come out on top and realize you are a horsewoman of the highest standards.”