Margaret Pugh was born in Winnipeg in 1917. As a young girl, Margaret attended Rupert's Land Ladies College, the forerunner of Balmoral Hall. After secondary school, Margaret embarked on a university career. She attended the Manitoba Agricultural College through the late-1930s and received a degree in Home Economics in 1938.

With these credentials, Margaret worked as a dietetic intern at hospitals in Toronto and Montreal. Her last tenure as an intern took place in Winnipeg at the Deer Lodge Veterans' Hospital. It was at Deer Lodge that Margaret found permanent employment. She began her career there as a member of the dietary staff. Eventually she worked her way up the scales of management and enjoyed the position of Assistant Dietary Supervisor. She reached the pinnacle of her career when she achieved the office of Director of Dietary Services. She remained at her post until her retirement in 1978.

While working at the Veteran's hospital, Margaret devoted her free time to both professional and personal development. Consequently, Margaret was an active executive member of the Canadian and Manitoban branches of dietetic associations. She was also involved in a number of different artistic and cultural organizations.

Margaret Pugh researched the history of the various branches of her family. Pugh's maternal grandmother, Margaret Pawling, numbered among her ancestors United Empire Loyalists who settled in the Port Dalhousie region of Ontario, and Matilda Secord, a cousin of the famous Laura. Margaret Pugh's maternal grandfather, Frederick Wilson, was the son of Katherine Isabella Stewart and Dr. Robert Wilson, who served with the British Army in India before coming to Canada in 1848/49. Isabella Stewart's parents had preceded her to Canada and had settled near Stamford, Ontario. Margaret Pugh's father, Frederick, married Charlotte Wilson (daughter of Margaret Pawling and Katherine Isabella and Robert's son Frederick Wilson) in 1910. For many years Frederick Pugh worked as a buyer for Eatons.