Margo Veronica Harris nee Yarde, 64, of Oshawa, peacefully passed away on June 10th, after a difficult battle with colon cancer.

Margo was born on January 16^th, 1958, to Randolph and Dorothy Yarde (both deceased) in Barbados. She was the sister of Sonia (also deceased).

She was the Vice President of House of Culture, a former Festival manager/Administrator with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival and a strong supporter of Caribbean culture in Toronto. She was a Business Development Manager with British West Indies Airways (BWIA) now known as Caribbean Airlines for many years.  Served as a Member of the Board of Directors for New Dawn Moravian Church, a member of the Caribbean Chorale of Toronto, a community volunteer, and Treasurer for the 13th Division Toronto Police Services membership and Eglinton Sickle Cell Initiative.

Itah Sadu, co-owner of A Different Booklist bookstore, has known and collaborated with Margo on many of her projects. Saddened by the loss of her friend, told the Caribbean Camera: “[She] was a classy champion in the Black community. She brought joy when she worked with Caribbean Airlines (BWIA) back in the day, delivering the coveted door prize, trip for two to anywhere Caribbean Airlines travelled.  She was passionate about music, sang in her church’s choir and loved Black and Caribbean culture. We will miss a smile that lit a room, that spread warmth, and of course we will miss her signature brooch and pin she always wore. Margo will add beauty to the arena of the ancestors.”

Joe Halstead, former Chairman of the Festival Management Committee – the organisation that manages the Toronto Caribbean Carnival – who had known and worked with Margo for many years, said was crestfallen on hearing at the news of her passing, “She was a dear soul. I got to know her when she worked at the FMC. She made a tremendous contribution to the growth and development of the Caribbean Festival. We in the festival community do owe her a debt of gratitude. May she find everlasting rest. My sincere condolences to her family and friends”.

Margo is survived by her Aunts Geraldine Thompson of Florida and Margaret Smith of Boston. Cousins Sylvester Bishop of Brooklyn, Tony Bishop and wife Maylou of New Jersey, Antoinette Bishop of Barbados and Jackie Bishop of San Francisco, Bernard Smith and niece Sonia of Barbados.

Funeral Services of Margo Harris will be held at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home on Monday June 20th at 2:00 PM. Live Streaming would be available via Youtube. Thereafter, a private cremation with be conducted.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honour to Hospice Vaugh, a nonprofit organization who cared for Margo during her final days.

May She Rest in Peace