On Sunday, September 6th, 2015 our beautiful mother passed away peacefully at her home in Richmond, with her daughters Jo-Ann and Wendy, and her beloved poodle Bella, by her side. We are comforted in knowing that Mom is now reunited with our Dad, (Jack) her wonderful husband (predeceased in 2006) and the love of her life.
Peggy was born in Vancouver, BC, to her adoring parents Maudie and Bertram Perrie. She spent her childhood in Quatsino, where her father was the Captain of the Granby passenger freight boat. Mom often shared delightful stories of living on Leeson Point as a young girl. She recalled taking her dog Perky, a terrier, out in the row boat, without knowing how to swim (oh dear, she would say!) and vividly remembering going out by herself and chopping down a miniature Christmas tree on her own and having her father (“Poppy”) place it in a wooden stand in her room.
After completing her early schooling at the Quatsino Elementary School, Peggy attended Crofton House School in Vancouver and continued her studies at St. Paul’s School of Nursing. She returned to the North Island after graduating as a registered nurse and worked at the Port Alice Hospital. It was there where she met her husband Jack. They married in 1954 in Victoria and spent many happy years together. Peggy and Jack enjoyed gardening and taking many trips in their camper around the province with their first poodle Susie. In later years, they travelled to the warmer climates of Hawaii and California.
Peggy was an incredible mother and wife and loved her family more than anything. As an excellent homemaker, she was always a gracious hostess. She was stylish, had a wonderful sense of humour, loved animals, was a regular attendee of her exercise class and enjoyed reading everything from the North Island Gazette to English Literature. More recently, Mom loved to go down to the water near her home and watch the boats and tide come in, as it reminded her of her childhood days in Quatsino.
Those who knew our mom would know that she loved to go shopping with her girls and she hosted the best tea parties in her home and lovely garden.
She was kind, caring and generous and always had a fond spot in her heart for her two sisters Berdie and Eileen. Mom brought such brightness into our lives that we nicknamed her “Sparkle”!
A celebration of Peggy’s life will be planned when next year’s garden is in bloom.