NAC Foundation
Music was more than a pastime for Paul and Margaret Manson—it was a cherished family tradition. Paul’s father played the piano in silent movie theatres and Margaret’s mother directed church choirs. Paul played trombone in a dance band when he was in high school, while Margaret was an accomplished pianist, completing Grade 8 at the Royal Conservatory of Music by the time she was twelve years old. This love of melody naturally flowed to their children, becoming an integral part of their family fabric.
So it came as no surprise that Paul and Margaret chose to remember the National Arts Centre Foundation in their Wills. It was a testament to the profound impact music had on their lives. The NAC had given them a wealth of entertainment over decades through the variety of music they loved. After many moves across Canada and the world, they finally settled permanently in Ottawa, and began attending Pops concerts, operas and classical performances regularly at the NAC.
Their nomadic life had been precipitated by Paul’s career in the military, starting as a fighter pilot and finishing with his role as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff. Margaret, a nursing student when they met, managed the household and took care of four children through numerous relocations. Somehow, she also found the time to found a choral society and direct Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. When the last of their children started high school, she began her career in the not-for-profit sector.
Inevitably their children - Bob, Cathy, Peter and Karen - grew up surrounded with music and musical productions. One of their most indelible memories is of singing in the car together as they travelled through Europe in a van on camping trips. Over the holidays, wherever they were in the world, friends and family would gather around Margaret at the piano and belt out carols.
Cathy says that her parents had a deep and enduring love for one another and were both optimistic, happy people who got the most out of every single day of their lives.
“Every time they went to a show at the NAC it was special.They loved the whole experience, including having box seats. They felt part of the performance and part of the community.”
After 66 years together, Paul and Margaret passed on within months of each other, leaving behind a legacy that resonates in the hearts of their children and grandchildren. Their bequest to the National Arts Centre Foundation is not just an expression of gratitude for the joy they received but a testament to the power of music in fostering community and connection.
As we reflect on their lives, we extend our deepest gratitude to Paul and Margaret for nurturing the love of music that continues to inspire new generations at the NAC.
