MARGARET (PEGGY) JEAN HARDY

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MARGARET (PEGGY) JEAN HARDY Peacefully, on Saturday, May 1, 2010, Margaret passed away at the Grace Hospice at the age of 90 years. Remaining to forever cherish Peggy's memory are her sister, June Harley (David) of Edmonton, Alberta and nieces and nephews, Jim, Tom and Arlene; Pat and Dwight; Sandra and Rick. She was especially close to her nephew Jim, his wife Audrey and their children, Krista (Ashley) and Ryan (Lesley). She was predeceased by her parents, Robert in 1935 and Margaret in 1962; brothers, Robert Hardy in 1996 and Dr. James Hardy in 2008. Peggy was born on February 17, 1920 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan to Robert and Margaret Hardy the oldest of three children. She and family moved to Sprague, Manitoba from Yorkton in 1924 where she attended the Hardy School, Golden Branch School and the Sprague School. The Sprague homestead and area was a special place for Peggy and it was here that she developed her love of nature and wildlife. She would return for many years to wonder the forests and pick wild berries. Peggy moved to Winnipeg in 1938 to work and later joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps. She trained in Edmonton and served in Ottawa until the end of the war attaining the rank of Lance Corporal. She then returned to Winnipeg to complete her education. Peggy began her teaching career in Gillam and Killarney and in 1953 moved to Winnipeg where she worked for the Winnipeg School Division for 31 years retiring in 1984. She was a longtime resident of Charleswood and was active with the I.O.D.E., the Charleswood Agricultural Society and Historical Society and a longtime volunteer with the Winnipeg Humane Society. She gave many a stray cat a home over the years and in retirement she enjoyed the company of her dogs, Duffy, Misty, Major and Cher. Peggy was an avid gardener and was always sharing her canning and preserves with friends, family and neighbours. She loved to knit and many of her friends and family were fortunate to receive her lovely sweaters, scarves and afghans. She with the help of her brother Jim built a cottage at Royal Lake in 1964 and spent many years travelling back and forth to her cottage. Peggy made many trips across Royal Lake to visit her brother Jim and family on the island in her small boat and she would also cross country ski across the lake in winter to her cottage and to the island. She loved to entertain friends and family at the cottage and many enjoyed her home cooked meals and fresh blueberry pies for over 40 years. In keeping with Peggy's wishes, she will be interred in the family plot in Sprague, Manitoba. We would like to thank the staff at Grace Hospice for the exceptional care Peggy received during her stay at the Hospice and a special thank you to her very good neighbours and friends, Bruce and Sandra, Mary and Ethel for all their kindness over the years.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2010