Margaret Westerman’s contribution to Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the Surrey community

By Ahanya Tonse

Apple orchards bloom every spring, drawing students and employees to their intoxicating fragrance. Walking on the freshly mowed grass for the first time, “What is this place?” I wondered. 

A large piece of land located behind the parking lot closer to the Birch building of Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been empty for years. This land was donated to KPU by the Westermans’. 

There are not many people who are aware of this land, but what is more surprising is the dedication of this family towards KPU. 

Photo by KPU Archives

On Dec. 14, 1984, Margaret Westerman lost her husband, Ernest Westerman. Westerman was born on the Westerman property. He had lived there his entire life. 

Marti Alger, a learning strategist at KPU, mentioned that Margaret’s family was friends with Westerman’s family. 

“She (Margaret) went to visit her (Westerman’s mother) and Westerman was there, and she told me how she felt. Mrs. Westerman Sr. was not well and probably wouldn’t live long. But that was the first time that she’d gone to see her when she was sick,” said Alger. “She said, ‘she smiled at me and I knew that I had her approval.’” 

In 2012, Alger found Margaret sitting near the KPU pond, deeply engrossed in her thoughts. 

She was short and had a lovely smile. She was a positive thinker who loved styling her brown wavy hair off of her face. Alger was fascinated by her. Margaret was usually found wearing jeans, which Alger thought was unusual for someone her age.    

Having lived in that property for more than half of her life, Margaret dedicated her life to education. She enjoyed teaching and learning. 

In 1965, an 11-year-old Margaret moved to Surrey. She dedicated her life to teaching and community service. After her husband’s death in 1984, Margaret busied herself in volunteering and decided to help people. 

Data found at KPU Archives says Margaret was a teacher from 1946 to 1949. She stopped teaching and resumed it again from 1959 to 1985. 

She was also a teacher at the Westerman Elementary School in Surrey. The school was built in 1993 and was named after Margaret. 

Along with being a teacher, she also worked for the community. In 2006, the West Coast news reported how Margaret helped those in need by being a part of the Surrey Urban Mission. 

Photo by KPU Archives

At the time 82-year-old Margaret had trouble hearing and standing straight on her feet but what kept her going was her enthusiasm and dedication to work for the community. 

Her commitment towards the Surrey community resulted in her being named Surrey’s Volunteer of the Year in 1997. 

The Westerman property, now bequeathed to be part of KPU Surrey, was where Margaret grew fruits and vegetables. She would use food from her own garden to serve it to people, either in its raw form or in the form of delicious meals. 

Westerman was born on the Westerman property but Margaret helped make it a safe space for KPU students and faculty along with her extraordinary work for the community. 

References –

Kwantlen Polytechnic University. KPU Archives.

Westerman Elementary celebrates its 25th anniversary!!. Surrey Schools Leadership in Learning. (n.d.). https://www.surreyschools.ca/westerman/_ci/p/48580