In memoriam: Margaret Arcus (1935-2023)
Photo–UBC Archives Media Services (1989, January 1). Margaret Arcus, Family and Nutritional Sciences
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Margaret Arcus, Professor Emerita of the School of Family and Nutritional Sciences, on June 27, 2023. Margaret was born on April 30, 1935 in Auburn, Nebraska, U.S., and completed her PhD in Home Economics Education from Iowa State University.
Margaret was founder of the Family Studies program at UBC. She was the Director of the School of Family and Nutritional Sciences when it was part of the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, and taught Family Studies and Home Economics from 1968 until her retirement in 1999. Margaret was a highly esteemed academic and a true professional in how she treated colleagues, students and staff. Always with a smile and friendly demeanour, she performed her duties as an administrator and educator very well, receiving numerous teaching awards from UBC and from the National Council on Family Relations.
She was active in provincial, national, and international home economics and family studies organizations including the Canadian Home Economics Association (CHEA), the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), and the International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE). In 2000, NCFR established the Margaret E. Arcus Outstanding Family Life Educator Award in her honour.
While a student at Iowa State University, Margaret met Peter Laurence Arcus of Hamilton, New Zealand, and they were married on June 26, 1966. Throughout their married life, they were best friends and true partners who shared a love of family, of music and theatre, and of travel to many corners of the world.