Margaret Pamela (Roberts) Doxey

Margaret Pamela (nee Roberts) Doxey was a force of nature.  Professor Emeritus of Trent University, Margaret was born in Edinburgh but Canadian through and through. She was a cherished aunt, nurturing mentor, and expert in international law. 

Margaret leaves behind her beloved nieces Rosalind (Fooks) Genge (Ross and children Duncan and Alison), and Alison Fooks (Wayne). She was predeceased by her wonderful niece, Catherine “Cathy” Fooks (Terry and daughters Katie and Sarah), adored sister Cherry (Tony) and her brother Bruce and her former husband (George).

Margaret grew up in England during World War II.  While her father served (he was lovingly referred to as Tiger – a most incongruous nickname), she (Cat) and Cherry (Lion) and her mother (Bear – for her love of honey) carried on. After the war and the return of her father, Margaret considered her scholastic future.  She was clearly destined to make her mark in the academic world.

Margaret obtained a BSc (Econ) with First-class Honours from the University of London. She then worked for the Foreign Office and Central Office of Information in Britain where she met her husband.  They subsequently moved to South Africa where Margaret worked for the South African Institute of Race Relations and lectured in economics at the University of Witwatersrand.  Her appetite was whetted for more studies.

She completed her PhD in the Faculty of Laws at University College, London.  Few women studied economics and law, let alone earned doctorates. Margaret’s thesis became the first of many highly acclaimed and influential books. Economic Sanctions and International Enforcement (1971) and her six other books and seventeen chapters and articles in the top peer-reviewed publications earned her the title: the “doyenne of sanctions”.  To this day, no one can study or discuss sanctions without referencing her work. She was also a renowned scholar of the Commonwealth and met King Charles, the late Queen, and other members of the royal family at various Commonwealth events.

While her research made a foundational contribution to international relations and foreign policy, her greatest achievement, in her estimation, was her students.  Margaret taught many including academics David Black, Peter Jones, Robert Campbell and Manindra Shah at Trent University, where she helped to establish the department of Political Studies. She also taught at Wellesley College in the United States and the London School of Economics in the UK.  She was an especially important mentor and friend to many women including Mary O’Riordan, Kirsten Franklin, Jane Boulden, Kim Elliott, LeeAnne Broadhead and Andrea Charron.  Margaret didn’t just improve one’s thinking and writing, she became a cherished member of one’s life.  Your family was her family, and as a result, she not only mentored the next generation of her students (Maggie, Max, Philippe and Sarah) but also gently encouraged them through life’s inevitable ups and downs, all while sharing with them her whimsical animal stories.

Margaret was a favourite friend at the Benmor Towers in Peterborough.  She was grateful for her kind and supportive neighbours, especially John and Rose Prentice and her “gentleman neighbour downstairs” Tom Suhr, as well as her care assistant Debra Barnett. She and the owner of Knotanew Book Store and the UK Shoppe (marmalade is simply better than jam) had long friendships and she will also be grateful for her accountant Mark Owens who did house calls.  Margaret was the first to recognize she was rich in family, friends, and experiences from around the world.  She had a quick wit, piercing insight, a sixth sense about what was proper and a ready laugh.  Above all, she had a distinct disregard for the pompous and self-important, especially in politicians.

Margaret was always practical.  Research for research’s sake was pointless if it didn’t have purpose and relevance and Margaret’s life was one of purpose. And therefore, it came as no surprise to those who had the privilege to know her well that she would oversee her life until she determined her work was complete at which point she selected the time and date of her death. The epitome of grace, courage, poise, and humanity until the end.

Margaret and the family would like to thank the wonderful staff at the Peterborough Regional Health Centre especially Sherry and Jane.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers please direct donations to Margaret’s favorite charity - World Wildlife Fund Canada (in honor of Tiger preservation)