Obituary of Margaret DeGrace

Of Wolfville, passed away peacefully in her cottage at Sebim Beach, Villagedale, on July 5, 2007. Peggy was born July 29, 1924, in Kentville, the daughter of the late Roderick and Marian (Frink) Maclauchlan. She spent her early years with her family in Rothesay, N.B., Wolfville and Yarmouth. She served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Wren (WRCNS) from 1944-1945, working in Hali­fax, and in 1945 married Robert F. DeGrace of Seattle, Wash. They made their first home in Seattle, and after several years there, and in Corvallis, Ore., they moved back to Canada in 1952. Eventually they settled in Manor Park in Ottawa, where they lived for 30 years. Peggy was not only a busy community volunteer (sometimes referred to as 'Mrs. Altar Guild'), she was also a loving and devoted mother and grand­mother, and a caring friend to many. She took up curling at the RCMP Curling Club in Ottawa and developed a love for this sport which stayed with her all her life. She was interested in everything, politics, sports, community events, and a good game of cribbage, and above all, the well-being of family and friends. In 1984 Peggy and Bob moved to Wolfville, where they renewed old friendships and developed many new ones. In Wolfville, Peggy was a member of St. John's Anglican Church and worked faith­fully for the church. She helped with Meals on Wheels, served on the local hospital auxiliary, and canvassed for many impor­tant charities. Peggy loved her cottage at Sebim Beach, and nothing pleased her more than a sunny day, a warm tide, lots of children and dogs. She is survived by her sons, John (Judy Simms), Prince George, B.C.; Bill, Bermuda; daughters, Barbara Thompson (Jim), Kingston, Ont.; Mary Keirstead (Rod), Caledonia; Anne (Phillip Jackson), Nelson, B.C.; Joan Tapley, Cock­eysville, Md.; 10 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob, and her brother, Jim Maclauchlan. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 10, at 1 p.m. in St. John's Anglican Church, Wolfville, Rev. Cathy-Lee Cunningham officiating, assisted by Canon Russell Elliott. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 568 Main St., Wolfville, (902-542-2151). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victorian Order of Nurses, Tri-County Branch, 55 Starrs Rd., Yarmouth, NS B5A 2T2; The Salvation Army or Villagedale Cemetery Fund. On-line condolences may be sent to the family via e-mail to: lindsayfunerals@ns.aliantzinc.ca The words of St. Francis:'Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing you have received...but only what you have given; a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.'