
Ralston – Margaret (Meg), 97, passed away peacefully on January 20, 2016, in Queens Manor, Liverpool, N.S. She was loved, and will be missed by her family and friends.
Born in Saint John, N.B., Meg was the daughter of John and Helen MacDonald.
She met and married Burnie in 1937 – a union which lasted 63 years. Burnie and Meg made their home in the Maritimes for several years, but in 1950 they made the decision to move their young family to New York. There, Meg spent many happy years working at New Rochelle Hospital as the manager of House Services. In 1974, Meg retired, and returned to Halifax with Burnie, to be closer to their family. After many visits to the South Shore, they decided to make White Point their home. Together they built their retirement home, overlooking the water. Meg loved living so close to the ocean, and spent many happy hours roaming the beach, and visiting the Lodge with Burnie. She made many new friends in the Liverpool area, and was an active member of the IODE. Meg enjoyed reading and crocheting, and had a keen interest in the British royalty. She had a great sense of humour, and her favourite times were when family and friends would gather at her home for a visit, a cup of tea, or a Chinese dinner!
Margaret is survived by her sons, Norman Ralston, Fredericton, and Douglas (Dana) Ralston, Dartmouth; grandchildren, Meredith (Scott MacMillan) Ralston; Lisa (Ross McNamara) Ralston; Alison (Darren) Ralston Murphy; Tracy (Jim) Ralston-Barone; Beth (Jim Barrett) Ralston; Katie (Jayson Clement) Ralston; Meggie (Andrew) Cooper; and eight great-grandchildren.
Meg was predeceased by her husband, Burnie; brother, Parker MacDonald; and daughter-in-law, Lynn Ralston.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral Home, Liverpool. A memorial graveside service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.chandlersfuneral.com. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the excellent care and affection given to Meg by the staff of Queens Manor.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ralston; Margaret “Meg” Nisbitt

Pat Wigglesworth
To Margs’ Family
So sorry to hear of your loss. Marg and Berne were both very good friends of my Mom and Dad. I also spent many hours at their home in White Point. She was such a great lady and loved to entertain. She will be missed. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time
Robert & Sally Fader
To Marg’s family:
Marg was such a great lady and so much fun. Always enjoyed visiting she and Burnie. She was a good friend of my Mum, Doris Wigglesworth. You are all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
catherine martin
Dear Meredith and Scott and family,
I am thinking of all of you today and sending you light and prayers as you begin your grieving journey for your dear grandmother. Grandmothers, are sacred in our culture, the Mi’kmaq, and we hold them close to our hearts. St. Anne, is the patron saint of the Mi’kmaq because she is the Grandmother of Jesus among other gifts. So, I send a prayer to saint anne for you, and ask that your grandmother’s journey to the spirit word is gentle, and joyous.
M’sit Nokamaq/ All my relations,
Catherine Martin
Walter and sherri Miller
Norm,Doug and all of Marg,s family.We were so saddened to read of Marg,s passing,she was a great lady as well as Burnie was a great gentleman.We knew her well as she was a great friend of my parents,Reg and Doris.I got to visit her many times as a friend and a VON nurse.My visits were always a great time and many laughs as Marg was a very comical person.She will be sadly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.Our condolences go out to all of you all at this very difficult time.RIP Marg.We will miss you.
John & Nancy Leefe
We were very sorry to learn of Margie’s passing. The Saint John connections with Margie are multi-generational and we relived in conversation many times. She was delight and it was a joy to be able to call her a friend.
John and Nancy Leefe
Alexandra Dobrowolsky
To Meredith, Scott and the Ralston family,
We are thinking of you at this very sad time. We hope you take comfort in all the wonderful memories of someone who clearly meant so much to you, and who lived such a long and beautiful life.
Our heartfelt condolences,
Alexandra Dobrowolsky and Richard Devlin
Edna and Roy Keeble
You always said, Meredith, that your grandmother was (and will always be) incredibly special. How lucky that you, Scott and your family had her in your lives. Our deepest sympathies go out to all of you during this sad time.
Sterling Belliveau
I would like to extend my sincere sympathy to the family of Margaret Ralston. My thoughts are with you at this sad time. With sincerest condolences,
Sterling Belliveau, MLA
Lorraine Trainor
To the members of the Ralston Family.
We wish to send our sincere condolences on the death of Margaret. She was a member of IODE Gorham Chapter and very active for many years. We missed her at our meetings when she was unable to attend any more. She will be missed by a lot of people here in Liverpool.
Lorraine Trainor
President, IODE Gorham Chapter, Liverpool
Peggy (Wiggles
My sincere sympathy to all of Marge’s family. I loved to visit with my Mum and two sisters whenever I made a visit home. She was such a lovely lady. May The Lord bring you peace at this time of all the beautiful memories you wil be able to share together. God Bless. Peggy
Stephanie Miller- Vincent
it is with great sadness I read of Marg’s passing. Marg and Burnie both were fantastic people that i had the pleasure of knowing not only thru the Wigglesworth family connection but also thru the White Point family connection. A lady of grace and one who inspired so many to do nice things. Thinking of you all.
Stephanie Miller-Vincent
Maureen Crocker
So very sorry to hear of Meg’s passing. She was lucky to have been able to enjoy a very long, full life.
Lesley Seymour
I am curious if this is the same Meg Ralston who was a friend of my mother. My Mom so often talked about a Meg Ralston that was such a good friend to her. She was Janice ( Doherty ) Pike and was the same age and lived all her life in Saint John. My mother passed away in 1978. When I read the obituary it made me think of my Mom and the love she had if her friend. I often wondered about her friend and wished they could get together but did not know how to find her. I wanted her to know how my Mom cared for and loved her.