15/11/2024
Obituary for Margaret Carser (Nee Carter)
January 1956 – October 2024
Dear Members,
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the unexpected passing of Mrs Margaret Carser.
Before life at the Veterinary Defence Association, Margaret lead a colourful life, as told through words from her closest family and friends:
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Margaret was an exceptionally kind, caring and generous person, and will leave a big space in our lives.
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Margaret and I met just over 50 years ago when she joined my father's Amateur Dramatics Company, The Lagoon Players based in Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa. Of all the talent on stage, none shone brighter or more impressively than the extraordinary talent of Margaret Carter. The sensitive, intelligent interpretation of the characters she played, combined with great skill, training and total commitment and dedication to each role she undertook made Margaret the star of every show in which she performed.
Margaret and I recently found each other again through social media and immediately engaged in frequent correspondence, openly sharing our experiences, memories, emotions and our shared grief. I learned of her struggles with various health issues, but all I heard of this through her was her bravery, her pragmatism, her ability to research and understand all the challenges she faced and her strength and ability to "just get on with getting on" - her words. It is with tears in my eyes that I say how profoundly I will miss her intelligence, her gentle teasing, her warmth and her humour.
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In 1980 Margaret was in Johannesburg, South Africa trying out for an actress role in a local production. I persuaded her to join me and together we built the company up to be a real thorn in the side of the competition at the time. Margaret met David Carser and soon changed her name from Carter to Carser.
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I met Margaret as a young girl and was taken aback by her big personality, her beauty and her eloquent speech. She had star quality. Years later I started working with Margaret. She was very hard working, smart and she was able to really master anything that was thrown in front of her. From co- founding a company to building houses by hand (there was a lot more of this than she would have liked), to living in multiple countries in a year to overcoming health complications and to eventually becoming the best Gaga that her granddaughter could have wished for.
She never lost that air of strength and beauty and always carried herself with grace.
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The following is an adaption of the words that Margaret wrote for David when he passed away, but still echoes true. The VDAs that were established by Dr David Carser and Mrs Margaret Carser were founded as the first defence association for veterinarians in South Africa in 1992. Their approach was considered revolutionary at the time because veterinarians had not ever had representation to assist them with Board complaints or an advice system to safeguard them when dealing with unhappy or antagonistic clients. David and Margaret literally wrote the book for veterinarians - and laid down the rules and provided tools for a more defensive approach for vets to follow. They empowered vets to take control of their own destiny and the style of “prevention is better than cure” as the first course of action, followed by ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution) has assisted countless vets in their workplace, bringing so many veterinarians peace of mind.
After David passed, Margaret took the reins of running the VDAs extremely competently. She was not only a remarkable leader but a mother, a sister and cherished friend to all who knew her. Her kindness, wisdom, and unwavering support have left a lasting impact on the VDA teams and the work environment she fostered.
Margaret cared deeply for and about people with whom she was associated - not only her family, but people with whom she had worked over the years. The energy and concern she brought to every relationship in which she was involved was extraordinary! Any of us who knew Margaret are deeply honoured to have known her and to have had her in our lives.
Margaret leaves behind her daughter Amber, and granddaughter, Madalaine, upon whom she doted. Amber and an experienced team remain very active in the Veterinary Defence Associations, continuing the legacy of Margaret and David.
We will remember her fondly in her beautiful words, her fairness, her intent listening and her great sense of humor. She will be sorely missed.
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The Veterinary Defence Associations are still here for you and are going strong! Our team of consultants and the strong administrative team are here to assist and continue supplying advice and guidance every day of the week to our members.
We will never give up looking after our members and plan only to evolve and develop in the most positive way to the benefit of all whom we serve. Please look out for a notice on this matter in the near future.
