Margaret Zealy (“Bubbe” to her grandkids and their friends) lost her father at age 11. After he died, her mother did her best to keep Margaret and her brother fed and clothed, but it was a struggle. They moved often, frequently crowding in with family, and sometimes having to split up. While love was plentiful, safety and security were not, and Margaret grew up determined that her own children would never feel that insecurity.

She worked in many different jobs in the early years of her marriage and motherhood, prioritizing the health and happiness of her children over her own. There were many struggles along the way, but her children—Patrick, Jason, and I, Robin—always knew we were loved, had plenty to eat, and lived in a safe, warm home. After several years of part-time college, Margaret finally earned her degree in Social Work, and was able to realize her goal and pursue her passion–improving the lives of children and families in her community. She spread her love far and wide, beyond just her own children and their friends, but to any child she met.

Margaret died too young, at the age of sixty-seven, and the world lost a strong child and family advocate. But her work goes on at Bubba’s Contact Centre, where children and families are able to work towards healing every day. She never got to know about the Centre, but we, her children, know that it would make her incredibly proud. It means so much to us that “Bubbe” and the work that she did are part of the inspiration that brought the Centre to fruition. We know that she would get so much happiness from seeing the successes that happen there, and watching parents connecting with their children. It makes us enormously proud of her, and also proud and inspired by the work the Centre does. We are thankful that Bubbe’s passion continues to blossom.