MARGARET HELEN (PEGGIE) HENDERSON

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

MARGARET HELEN (PEGGIE) HENDERSON Peacefully on December 10, 2008, after a long illness, Peggie Henderson (nee Fielden). Peggie was predeceased by her granddaughter Jennifer, brother Mac Fielden and beloved husband Ben Henderson (2003). She is survived and sadly missed by her daughter Heather, sons Ian (Sheila) and Lorne (Mona), grandchildren Bonnie McLoughlin (Cian), Scott (Angela), Alex, Kelly, Robin and Rachel Henderson; Lynn Henderson, Des McLoughlin and special friends Kay Powell and Mabel Pringle, as well as many nieces and nephews and sisters-in-law Anne and Eleanor Henderson. Peggie was born on October 17, 1923 in St. Vincent, Minnesota to Winnie and Leonard Fielden. In 1926 they moved to Winnipeg and she attended school at Sir John Franklin, Robert H. Smith and Kelvin. At age 16 she met her soulmate and lifelong partner when PPCLI Bugler Bennie Henderson was sent to play at Kelvin's Remembrance Day Service. She attended Angus Business College and then worked at Great West Life where she made many friends. She and Ben married in 1944, and began a family in 1947. Once her youngest started school, Peggie began a series of interesting jobs, notably as secretary to the director of the Hudson Bay Museum while it was in transition to Lower Fort Garry. In the early 1960s Peggie worked for Winnipeg School Division as a secretary, at LaVerendrye School, Grant Park High School, the Child Guidance Clinic and Montrose School. Peggie loved sports and participated in track and field events and was on the Kelvin City Champs Basketball team. Ben was also an athlete and together they bowled and curled, always becoming involved as organizers, first as founders of the Sir John Franklin bowling league and later Sir John Franklin Curling League. They were both active on the executive of the Charleswood Curling Club and were Lifetime Members there. Peggie was President of the Golden Gals Curling League and travelled throughout Manitoba for meetings and bonspiels, finishing her term as Past-President in her eighties. She was the only girl on the Charleswood Eagles baseball team in her seventies, and a huge Blue Jays fan, even attending their 2004 spring training camp in Florida. Peggie was a founding member of Westworth United Church and actively participated with the UCW, as a leader for Explorers, and as a secretary for church committees. Besides her family, church activities and work, Peggie ran a stamp club at the Knowles School for Boys. She also loved card games and was an eager bridge player, and organized and ran a bridge club until 2005. In her retirement years Bennie bought her a metal detector and she was launched into treasure-hunting, a new hobby that brought her many happy days and outings with Lorne or friend Kay. Peggie found items that she went to great lengths to return to their owners, and people often called her to help find lost rings. Peggie always believed in the power of the smile, and lived her life smiling. Even when things were difficult in the last years she was known for her smile. She was generous with her time and her many skills, and she shared her love of nature, birds, gardening, stamp-collecting, bridge, sewing, knitting and baking. She grew vegetables and flowers, she cooked blueberry pies, she knitted mittens and toques and sewed pajamas, and she fed the birds and took in strays of all shapes and kinds. Our grateful thanks to Marion and her wonderful staff at the Poseidon Care Centre. It gives us great comfort and solace knowing that Mom is now at peace, re-united with her soulmate Bennie. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, December 15, at Westworth United Church, 1750 Grosvenor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Winnipeg Humane Society.

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 13, 2008