PEGGY PRIMROSE MACKAY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

PEGGY PRIMROSE MACKAY (nee BEAN) July 4, 1929 November 9, 2016 Born in Edmonton, Alberta, July 4, 1929. She was predeceased by her parents, Reginald Edward Bean (d.1962) and Dorothy Jean Primrose (d.1987) and her only sibling, Garth (d.2009). Peggy was educated at Kelvin High School, Winnipeg. She attended the University of Manitoba where she met her future husband, Murdoch MacKay, while studying Home Economics. She worked summers at the Banff Springs Hotel, was a CP Air flight attendant and, after graduating with her B.Sc., briefly practiced as a registered dietitian in Montreal; a vocation that she never loved, and came to hate. She and Murdoch were married on October 1st, 1960 at St. George's Anglican Church. An intensely social and fashionable matriarch, she had an incomparable wit, and invincible curiosity. She could have done anything, but chose to devote herself to advancing her husband's career as a lawyer, entrepreneur and politician, in addition to raising their six children. Peggy had notorious entertaining abilities; flawlessly hosting dozens of guests on a moment's notice. For several years she volunteered at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and had, herself, a playful and adventurous taste in art. She was committed to the preservation of old houses and served as Treasurer of the Crescentwood Homeowners' Association as well as being a thrifty and inventive interior decorator. In later life, prompted by her interest in houses, she became a real estate agent. Peggy sought out only the most challenging of amusements. She was a formidable bridge opponent, speedily dispatched the daily crossword and cryptoquote, and completed acres of jigsaw puzzles over the course of her life. She loved books and took a dim view of those who did not. Although Peggy and Murdoch traveled the world, nothing delighted her more than a drive under an open-prairie sky to Fargo or Minneapolis with a caravan of family and friends in tow. During her long life she cultivated in herself and her family the values of supporting the underdog, (Harry Truman was her "fave" politician), a willingness to engage intellectually with others, and that one should never be afraid to do more than their fair share. She is survived by her husband Murdoch; and by their children, Anne (Paul), Scott (Mag), James (Alison), Jane (Ihor), John (Ginette), Cameron; and grandchildren, Beth (Mark), Evan (Brett), Wynn, Adam, James, Jack and Abby. It was her wish that there be no commemoration. Flowers are gratefully declined. Those wishing to do so, may donate to a charity of their choice, or the Central Community Centre's Shinny Project, 200 Isabel St., Winnipeg, MB. R3A 1G9.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 12, 2016