KEAST – Margaret “Peggy” (nee Ethier) – Peggy passed away on Sunday, September 16th, 2012 at Pioneer Manor in the city of Sudbury, peacefully, surrounded by those whom she loved, and by those who loved her. Peggy was the soul mate and best friend of John David Keast Sr. (predeceased). She was the loving mother of John David Jr. and his wife Lesley Mitchell of Sudbury, Ann Crane and her husband Alex of Leamington, Ontario, Jim of Sudbury and Michael (predeceased) (Glenda of London).
She was predeceased by her parents Jules and Annie Ethier, and sisters Evelyn and Elizabeth. She will be lovingly remembered by her brother Bill and his wife Justine of Abbotsford, B.C.
Cherished grandmother (she insisted on being called Peg) and close friend to Jason, Justin, Andrew, Jillian, Jeffrey, Rebecca, Tabitha, and great grandmother (Grand Peg) of Jared, Aidan, Anaya, Roxanna, Nicolaus, and Charlotte. She was loving Aunt Peggy to her nieces and nephews, and other close friends of the family. She had a particularly close relationship with nieces Jane Aaviku, Mary Elizabeth Orlando, and nephew Bob Henderson.
Peggy was born and raised in the Belleville, Ontario area. In her youth, she was an excellent student and developed a love of words and writing. She was a past Womens’ Editor for the Belleville Intelligencer. She also wrote an advice column relating to personal and relationship issues. She met her life partner John when they were students at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. They married and moved to Sudbury to raise their family.
After a number of years as a homemaker, she went back to school and graduated in social work. She was a social worker with the Children’s Aid Society for the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin, eventually becoming a supervisor. Her passion in life was children. She always said the most important gift a child could receive was the gift of good parenting. She strived to be an excellent parent to her children, grandchildren and many others. She was a compassionate mentor and confidant to many friends and associates. She spent countless hours helping those in need, who were ill, in hospital or homebound.
On the home front, Peggy showed a flair for interior decorating. Often she would “hold court” in her elegant dining room and grand room at her home on Ramsey Lake. It was said she had the greenest grass on the south shore.
Never one to pass up a good party, she loved to entertain family and friends at her home and the family cottage at Trout Lake. She was a prankster and her hijinks were legendary. Her zest for life was reflected in her love of dancing and music, especially “YMCA” by The Village People. Peggy’s interests included playing bridge, reading, golfing, cross country skiing and traveling throughout the world. Responding to her creative writing abilities, she composed stories, poems, plays and skits. She participated in various charitable organizations including the Canadian Club and the IODE. As a person, Peggy had a courageous spirit and a generosity in word and deed. When you met Peggy, the impact was immediate and memorable. She was a loving and caring person who in turn was admired and loved by many friends. She will be dearly missed by all those whose lives were enriched by her presence. She was deeply spiritual and had a strong belief in faith. She was sensitive to the pain in everyone’s life, but felt it was for the greater good when joined with God in eternity. When she was able, she attended Mass and Novenas at St. Patrick’s Church in Sudbury. At Peggy’s request, there will be no visitation or public service. She desired a private, family only service. Family and friends are invited to share their words of comfort and remembrances online, and memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin at www.lougheed.org.
Arrangements entrusted to the Jackson and Barnard Funeral Home.