Tribute

Peggy MacLennan passed away peacefully on January 25, surrounded by loving family. Peggy is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years, Don, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Dawn MacLennan of Lakewood, Washington, and her children Erin, Bob (Jenna) and Katie; John MacLennan (Nancy) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and their children Alex and Anna; Dan MacLennan (Leslie) of Campbell River and their children Drew (Erin) and Zella; David MacLennan (Leah) of North Vancouver and their children Erik and Signe; and Scott MacLennan (Nancy) of Ladner and their children Liam and Keira.

Peggy is also survived by four beautiful great-grandchildren: Zoie, Ryla, Oliver and Duncan.
Delivered by a dentist on the family farm in St. Andrew's East, Quebec, at the dawn of the Great Depression, Peggy quickly learned the true value of love, faith, hard work and determination. Her dream was to be a children's nurse, but she took a secretarial course in school at an early age so she could contribute to supporting her family. She started work at the age of 14 and held numerous jobs, including secretarial head of the foreign funds department at the Bank of Montreal on James Street. Working by day, she went back to school at night to finish high school while saving up to attend nursing school.

In 1946, at 17 years of age, Peggy was the youngest student admitted to The Salvation Army's Catherine Booth Maternity Hospital in Montreal. She went on to maternity nursing at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Montreal and then the Children's Aid Home. Through her work, she came to believe that even the most troubled and disadvantaged tiny lives could be repaired and saved by “pouring love into them,” a philosophy she would practice for the rest of her life.

Peggy married Donald MacLennan, the love of her life, in 1954 in Montreal. They moved to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and began a family of their own, into which they poured their love.
In 1961, Peggy and Don moved to Madawaska, Maine, where they spent happy years raising their family and participating in community and church activities. Her tireless commitment, faith and contributions were honoured with a lifetime membership in the United Church Women (UCW) shortly before the family moved cross-country to settle in Powell River in 1972.

In the 45 years that followed, Peggy poured her heart into the community of Powell River, touching the lives of many. A few of Peggy's contributions include chairing the hospital board, which brought the new Powell River General Hospital; starting a young mom’s support group; delivering Meals on Wheels with Don; teaching Bible study and Alpha courses; helping with weekly community pasta nights and supporting countless community members as a hospice volunteer and a pastoral-care volunteer. Peggy actively supported and encouraged recent efforts to welcome Syrian refugees to Powell River as well as the earlier welcoming of Vietnamese refugees.

The family would like to thank those who looked after Peggy during her brief time in the Powell River and Campbell River hospitals. We would also like to thank Peggy’s “church family” who brought her much joy through the years. She left this world for an undoubtedly better place, with no regrets and much gratitude for a rich and blessed life.

There will be a memorial service for Peggy at Powell River United Church, 6932 Crofton Street, V8A 5H4, on Saturday, February 11, at 2 pm. A reception will follow in the church hall.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in honour of Peggy to Whosoever Welcomes Refugee Project, in care of the United Church, are most appreciated.