Margaret Anne “Peggy” McKeachie (nee Whyte)
May 26, 1920 to September 25, 2009
Peggy McKeachie passed away suddenly and peacefully with family at her side in Victoria on September 25, 2009 at the age of “I’m 89, you know!” Born in Victoria, Mom, Nanny, G-Nan, Auntie Peg was a friend to all who met her. Her husband Ian predeceased her 44 years ago. She is also predeceased by brother Doug Whyte and sister Mary Barber. Peggy was always there for her 5 children: John (Sandi), Jane (Maurice) Vaesen, Anne McKeachie, Cathy (Jeff) Sinclair, and Bob (Sue); 12 grandchildren: Kent, Mark, Craig, Steven, Karen, Jennifer, Jessica, Liane, Brandon, Kyle, Alex and Nicole and 2 great-grandchildren: Kesler and Rebecca. She also leaves her brother-in-law Jimmy (Joyce) McKeachie. The family wishes to acknowledge cousins Joan Watt and Noni Whyte and family friends Kay and Dale Barber for their support in recent years. After graduating from Victoria High School, she worked for BC Electric. She was an amateur athlete – basketball (“I can shoot better than you!”), softball (“I was pretty good, you know!”) and tennis (“I love tennis!”) whose husband was inducted into the Victoria and BC Sports Halls of Fame. But when he left her all too soon, she continued to raise 5 kids in the small house on Glasgow Avenue where she lived for 47 years, returning to the workforce after 23 years, retiring in 1985 from the Greater Victoria School Board. As the nest emptied, she moved to her condo at The Poplar and remained there until this past January when she moved to The Kensington. Her new flat-screen TV enabled her to follow her beloved Blue Jays, the Canucks, golf and tennis. All this in and around her bridge games as she remained sharp to the end, keeping in touch with her coffee buddies and dear friends almost as much as her family. Never a day passed when she didn’t laugh and make everyone she encountered do likewise. A breast-cancer survivor for over 12 years, please feel free to offer donations in Peggy’s name to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and/or the BC Heart & Stroke Foundation. Service 2:00 pm, Monday, October 5, 2009 at McCall Bros. Floral Chapel, Johnson & Vancouver Street, Victoria, BC.
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We are so sorry to hear of Peggy’s sudden passing. I am so glad I got a hand squeeze, a kiss, and an “I Love You” from Peggy on Thursday. We will miss her humour and wit at family gatherings. Hugs to the family.
I was saddened to hear of Peggy passing. Our paths did not cross often but I will always remember her humour and the laughs we shared at Vic High Reunions and many baseball games. My thoughts are with the family at this sad time. They certainly will have many fond memories of their Mom that will help them through this difficult time. Take care of yourselves.
Love, Roberta
Our condolences go out to all of you during this time. The obituary made me smile as I could imagine her saying “Im 89 you know. ” Love the other Sinclairs
Peggy and I became friends through our phone conversations after my Mom ( Mary Bennett) died. She had the youngest, cheeriest, voice I’ve ever known. We always laughed a lot together. I loved to hear her say, ” You’re a good girl, Terri.” We ended every chat with an “I love you.” Every lucky woman has an older woman friend. Peggy was mine. I will miss her but her light will shine on in my memory.
We were saddened to read of your Mom’s passing. We remember our special times with her at Prospect Lake many years ago. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
When I answered the phone lastnight and saw Anne’s name on the call display, I thought she was phoning to roast me for missing Mary Walker’s serivce on Thursday!!
When I heard the news of Peg’s passing, I was so saddened!
For those of you who new my relationship with Peg, you would truely understand my hearfelt feelings!
Peg was truely a wonderful person and raised a fantstic family.
She truely epitomized the name, Mom!
Many memories, to many to list! Gone but never forgotten!
Stephanie and I, send out our sincere condolences and sympathy to the entire Family!
You only die if your forgotten in the hearts of those you leave behind! Peg will be blessed with enternal life in our hearts!
Gerry, Stephanie Lister and Family
We were very sad to hear of the sudden passing of Peg. She was a great person, always so bright and cheerful. She kept me up to date on the family history. She was a wonder with her bright mind and enjoyment of life. We will miss her greatly. Our sympathy is expressed to all her family. Daryl and Fred Rankine
Dear Anne and family,
I was sorry to read about the passing of your Mom. She sounded like quite an amazing lady, with a life well-lived.
Take care,
Linette McElroy
I was saddened to hear that Peggy passed away as I recall dropping in at her home on Glasgow during the Christmas time, after baseball games, or any time and you always felt at home. I loved her sense of humour and wit. We share the same birthday May 26th and has always been in my thoughts on that day every year.
John, Jane, Anne , Kathy and Bob,
So sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Our thoughts are with you and your families. Bob and Lois
Saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing. Love seeing the picture of her above – that’s how I always remember her – that great smile – with her warm voice always ready to laugh. I have very fond memories of being at the house on Glasgow and the charm that Peggy brought to every gathering. Our thoughts are with you all
Rob, Karen and Rox
My deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear Mother. As families deep rooted together in the sports community, we are profoundly sadden to learn of this news.
Simply, she was a beautiful women and I adored her for her great strength, optimism and kind, wise words and advise she offered to me. I treasure the fun times we spent celebrating our birthdays together. She spoke of her family often and never ever failed to inquire about mine.
I wish your family heartfelt condolences. Heather Holmes
Sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. Those of us who had the opportunity to have known her, feel blessed. Her lovely smile and quick wit will be truly missed. Even though I haven’t seen her that often through the years, thinking of her will always bring fond memories for me of the fun times growing up on Glasgow Ave.
Love Lynda
My heart is heavy since hearing of your loss. Peggy was a real gem (and she made great cheese nips!!!).
She was a spirited warm woman with great character and a great smile. May her strength be a guide for you during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy to all the family. We have great memories of Peggy and the McKeachie family. Sorry we are unable to attend the funeral.
To my friend John, and family…
I offer my condolences on the passing of Peggy. Although we never met, I have great memories of John as a former Basketball teammate, and mutual long time sports-guy from Victoria.
We lost our own Mom within the last few weeks, so I understand the emotion around such an event, and share it deeply.
With all my best wishes to the family / Ron B.
To all the McKeachie Family
My heartfelt sympathy’s to you all in the loss of your mom. I do remember what a great mom she was to you all. May you all find peace and may god be with you all in your time of need
Charlene Fowler(Lovelace)
I was so sorry to hear of Peggy’s passing. I have wonderful memories of good times and lots of laughs at the School Board and in visits and many phone conversations in the years since. Peggy was a very special lady and I will treasure her friendship always.
My sincere condolences to her family.
Susan Brooks
My heart goes out to the family on the loss of your mum Peggy, a bright light and friend to so many. I had the pleasure of working with Peggy who created a caring, fun and inclusive community in our office. She demanded I take breaks…”will you make eye contact with me” and I would join her in ‘Peggy’s Palace’ where we had tea, ate her biscuits and did the crosswords together. Peggy took a lot of people in under her vast wings. She invited me annually to join her and her family every boxing day where we jammed ourselves into her living room on Glasgow, enjoyed a re-run of Christmas dinner, and had lots of laughs. Her sons and daughters, as warm as caring as Peggy was, always welcomed Peggy’s friends to their family gatherings. I lost touch with Peggy when I left the country for a few years. I think of her often with fond memories. Take good care of each other. My thoughts are with all of you.
Dear Cathy and McKeachie family:
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your Mother.
I lost my Mother in April and know the pain and loss you are going through.
Living in the neighbourhood and being great friends with you Cathy, I have fond memories being at your house on Glasgow. I remember your Mom always smiling and having a great sense of humour! She was a kind and loving person that will be greatly missed.
Take care of each other. Love Mindy (and McCorkall Family.)
Hello McKeachie family! So sorry to hear about Peg. What a great lady she was. We are currently floating around the Pacific but friends emailed the obit to us. Our very sincere condolences to you all. Peg will be sorely missed.
Our sympathies on your loss…Although we hadn’t seen your Mom
in awhile, I’ll remember the house on Glasgow, and her enjoyment of the cake made by Bob and Rob Cowan…
Take Care.
Auntie Peg was a kind, generous, laughing and wonderful person. She was in our family through our auntie Mary Barber, her sister and our dad’s sister-in-law. Especially in the early days, she and uncle Ian were a regular presence at family occasions of all sorts.
When she and aunt Mary were together, there was almost no distinguishing them — and no greater compliment could be offered. She stood my aunt Mary through her stroke, and uncle Harry Barber through ALS, bringing a constant warmth and wit and kindness every time she entered the room.
To all the McKeachies (and you know how many you are!) please accept love and the happiest remembrance of an extraordinary woman, from my sisters Lynn and Margaret and myself.
Please accept our condolences. We had the pleasure of meeting your mother on a couple of occaisions over the years and were always impressed by her good humor and positive outlook.
We heard many great stories about her from Cathy to appreciate what a special mother she was, as well as, a special friend to many.
We are sorry we cannot attend the service but our hearts and thoughts are with you from Bonnie Scotland.
Vince and Noella Ready
Thinking of you, at this sad time . Your Mom will be sorely missed.
Kind Regards, Allan Wilde.
It is difficult to bear the loss of one so dear. We hope your special memories will be a comfort to you and will allow you to keep your Mother very close to you in the years to come. Our thoughts are with you all.
Bob:
So sorry to read about your mom’s passing. The family resemblance is striking, so I suspected right away from the picture it might be you losing a parent. There is absolutely nothing easy about death, but it sounds like she was a truly wonderful woman who left a happy legacy to her family and lived a joyous life. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Brigitte & Randy L’Heureux
With our deepest sympathy for the loss of your Mother. We will miss her great smile & laughter . Peggy was a great Lady & a treasure to all us Kids from Glasgow Ave. She showed us strength, optimisam & sportsmanship. Our thougths are with you. Bob & Kathleen Coutts also Rob Bill Sandy Cori.
To John, Jane, Anne, Cathy, and Bob,
I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing, but happy to hear it was peaceful.
I will always remember your mother for her sense of humour — she was fun to be with. Her courage and fortitude when things weren’t going so well was so much admired. I am sure you will miss her dearly, but may the memories of her laughter and cheeriness help you through.
My thoughts are with you at this time,
Sincerely,
Barry Gelling (MD)
Heartfelt thoughts to John and Family. We have wonderful memories of such a great lady.
I was very sorry to learn of Peggy’s departure, ironically at my mother’s memorial service this afternoon. With Jack English having left us in May, the Topaz Heights elders are sadly reduced. We tend to think of our own generation as the group that hung around together, but our parents, and certainly Peggy among them, were the ones who really made us what we are, and she did good work.
To all of the Mc Keachie family…my love and prayers go out to you to day and in the days to come…latterly since my Dad (Doug Muir a closer cousin!) passed away in 2001 our connection with Auntie Peg has been only by birthday phone calls..but what a joy those calls were and what love and laughter she offered us.. . truly one of the very bright sparks in the family. May her gift of humour and amazing energy and interest be with you. Nan
A Tribute to Peg;
What a marvellous send off for a Marvellous Person.
Greg Douglas commented to me,” That it was the Best Funeral he’s attend”
What a life, what Family.
God Bless you Peg and God Bless the Family,
Gerry & Stephanie Lister
Hi to all of Peggy’s kids,
Your may not remember me but we lived on Rutledge Ave. from 1959-1963. Your Mom was so good to me as I knew very few people in Victoria. I remember all of you kids so well and what a wonderful family you were. With 2 small girls I would push the baby buggy to your Mom’s for collee or tea almost every day.
I thought a lot of her and want to offer our sympathy to your family.
My sister-in-law Hazel Redmond sent me the obit. The obit was just like your Mom full of love and laughter. What a woman she was. Our best wishes and sympathy, Donna and Leary Redmond