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ELIZABETH MILLAR PEDDIE (COSSAR)
Born: Apr 24, 1916
Date of Passing: Jun 15, 2014
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryELIZABETH MILLAR PEDDIE (nee COSSAR) Elizabeth "Betty" Peddie (nee Cossar) of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away peacefully at Deer Lodge Centre on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the age of 98 years. Betty is survived by her sister Janey Harrison; niece Patricia Maxwell (Brian); niece Irene-Elizabeth Johnson; niece-in-law Allison Harrison; numerous great-nieces and nephews; and an abundance of life-long friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband Arthur Peddie in 1993; brother-in-law Noel Harrison in 2009; and nephew Tom Harrison in 2014. Betty was born in Winnipeg on April 24, 1916, the elder of two daughters born to Scottish parents Tom and Christine Cossar. She graduated from Kelvin High School and continued on to receive her Licentiate for piano from the Royal College of Music. By playing with a local Scottish orchestra Betty was able to cover her fees at Angus Business College. In early 1942 she left her job as a stenographer at Metropolitan Life and enlisted in the Canadian Women's Army Corp (CWAC). Ten months later she sailed with other CWACS and troops on a five day voyage to London, England where as a member of the First Echelon Intelligence Branch, Betty was entrusted with handling highly sensitive military intelligence. She lugged her heavy accordion on her slender 5'3" frame throughout her CWAC career, bringing joy to captivated audiences by playing in barracks, the London underground, hospitals, concerts, on short wave radio and at sea. Stationed in Italy, Betty met her beloved future husband, Arthur "Red" Peddie, an enlisted soldier who also happened to be a Winnipegger. She returned home to civilian life in 1946, the couple married in 1949 and were together until Red's death in 1993. After the war Betty worked for the Conservative Party and then at the Deer Lodge Centre until her retirement in 1981. More than 60 years after the war, Betty was still keeping spirits up with her vibrantly cheerful personality and her regular piano gigs at Heritage Lodge, Sharon Home, Poseidon Care Home and Deer Lodge Centre. She started playing the organ for the CFB 17 Wing Chapel after her retirement where she made many wonderful friends and was dearly loved. One of Betty's neighbours thought she must have had a twin as she was so busy with her piano playing and attending all the different organizations with which she was involved. Over the years, Betty's family loved singing along with all the old Scottish tunes and other popular music at family gatherings as she "tickled the ivories". Betty confided that "I never feel like I'm old - you don't get old inside, you know!" Funeral Services will be held on Friday, June 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Canadian Forces Base 17 Wing Chapel, at 2235 Silver Avenue (off Whytewold Road north of Ness). Special thanks to all the staff in T6 Ward and Prime at Deer Lodge Centre for their loving care. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Deer Lodge Centre or the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Manitoba. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba 204.897.4665, is in care of arrangements - wojciksfuneralchapel.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 21, 2014
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Betty was a truly marvelous person - generous of spirit and the most positive person Don and I have ever known. She had many wonderful stories to tell, all with a twinkle in her eye and that joyful laugh. She and my mother (Peggy Molinsky, nee Pitts) were "Pepsters" and the best of friends. Listening to them talk together was amazing - lots of conversation and laughter over several hours - they had such fun!. For many years after Mom passed away, Betty would come to visit Don and I every summer - until she could no longer travel. We enjoyed her company. It was such a great privilege to call Betty our dear friend and we will miss her. - Posted by: Linda and Don Shanks (Long time friends) on: Jun 26, 2014
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Betty was my sister Peggy's best friend - both members of the "Pepsters" a group of Fort Rouge girls who shared common interests. I remember her as a teenager looking forward to her piano practices and eventually becoming an accomplished pianist who could play virtually any tune that someone requested. She enriched my life. During the second world war, I was in the Park Theatre one day when Betty's picture was flashed on the screen from Italy and she was wishing everyone back home in Canada a Merry Christmas. Several years later when visiting the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, I spotted a photograph of four uniformed women and one of them was Betty . She is now immortalized at the museum. A very fitting tribute to a generous and wonderful woman who shared her musical skills and sense of humour wherever she went. I was happy to have had a short visit with her when I was in Winnipeg for Kelvin High School's 100th anniversary in 2012. Sincere condolences to her sister Janey and all of her family and close friends. - Posted by: Mary Dopson [ nee Pitts ] (Longtime friend) on: Jun 24, 2014
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