Obituary of Margaret "Peggy" Walshe
The world has lost a special soul. Margaret (Peggy) Dyke Walshe passed away peacefully on September 15th in her 74th year with her daughter by her side. Peggy was predeceased by her parents Philip and Viva Dyke, and her sisters Caroline (Carrie) Rozelle and Shirley Hetzner.
She leaves behind a host of family and devoted friends who will miss her sunny smile and ready laugh. Peggy is survived by her beloved daughter Jessica Andrew (Tyler Downey) of Kitchener, local cousins Sue Dyke Thibodeau (Mike) and Szaszi kids, Barb and Jim Stone and family, nieces and nephews in California, and niece Suzie Macdonald and family of Plantagenet.
During Peggy’s illness faithful friends gave her constant support including: incredible Linda Youse, Laurel Hamilton, John and Linda Ellison, Jean Tongai, Julie Dennis, Ann Beck, Gloria and Calvin Van Eek of Kitchener and many friends from St John’s Port Dalhousie.
A graduate of York University and University of Toronto, Peggy was a trained librarian who worked at the National Science Library in Ottawa, served as head librarian for the city of Kitchener where she raised her daughter, and in her retirement owned a consulting company called “Libraries in Transition”. She was the Book Room lady at St John’s and St Columba’s annual bazaars and enjoyed researching family history.
Upon moving to Port Dalhousie, Peggy was an active member of St John’s Anglican Church happily serving in the choir, participating in fundraisers, and attending events. She enjoyed her book club buddies as well as walking and exercise friends. A lover of white wine, her front and back patios were a happy place to sip and chat for hours.
A fierce advocate for women, Peggy was a member of the University Women’s Club of Niagara and helped out at many of their annual house tours. She created beautiful gardens wherever she lived and happily toiled in St Columba’s “Angelic Acres” to harvest loads of fresh vegetables for our local food bank.
A lifetime artist, Peggy took painting lessons many summers in Southampton Ontario and would mentor, support or amuse her younger Stone and Szaszi cousins with art activities or excursions.
Peggy called herself a “Cat Lady” and always shared her home with one or more feline friends. “The Boo” accompanied her throughout her last years and gave her great joy and solace when she moved with her into The Heatherwood Retirement Home during her last months.
The family wish to thank the staff of the Heatherwood for providing a caring and safe haven for Peggy when she was no longer able to remain at home and to Hospice Niagara for providing incredible care and dignity in her final days.
Funeral arrangements have been made through the George Darte Funeral Home. www.dartefuneralhome.com and cremation has taken place.
Her funeral will be at St John’s Anglican Church Port Dalhousie at 80 Main St., St Catharines on Thursday September 19th at 11am, followed immediately by interment at St John’s Cemetery.
Donations in Peggy/s memory can be made to: St John’s Church Port Dalhousie, or The Humane Society of Greater Niagara.