Margaret Ada Wilkinson
Peggy – “The Flower Lady of Campbell River” Now “Gardening with God”
October 7, 1913
– March 6, 2009
Peggy was born in Vancouver on October 7, 1913 to William Rae Arthur and Ada Ann Jordan. Her Mother (Cougar Annie as she is called now) and her husband moved to 150 acres in the wilderness of Vancouver Island where they homesteaded. Her Mother was a well known horticulturist too so Peggy came by her “green thumb” quite honestly.
Peggy is predeceased by her son George in March 2007, her husband, John in 1973, brothers George 1973, Frank 1979, Laurie 1947, sisters Isabel 2002, Rose 2001, and Helen 2004.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia (Roger), daughter-in-law, Marilyn, granddaughters, Brenda (Al), Glenda and Laurie (Steve) and grandsons, Murray, Blair (Trisha), Derrick, Chris (Paula) and great grandchildren, Breana, Katy, Teagan, Sydney, Joshua, Samantha, Paige and Drew.& brother Thomas, nieces Flo and Peggy(Peter).
Her early life was spent up the Coast at a place called Boat Basin and from there she and her first husband, Harold, moved to CeePeeCee, a small fishing village where Margaret worked in the fish cannery and Harold worked in the fish reduction plant. Later on they bought and operated the Esperanza Hotel for a few years. Margaret later moved to Nanaimo where she met John Wilkinson, they were married in 1950. Margaret worked at the old Nanaimo Hospital for about 25 years and finally retired to enjoy her garden. Peggy, as many called her, grew magnificent Dahlias as well as many vegetables and flowers. She was quite well known for her dahlias all over the Island.
In 1973 she bought her little home on the Island Hwy and Maryland Road where she grew Dahlias in her front yard every year much to the delight of everyone who passed by. She could be seen outside working to all hours, making her garden as beautiful as possible.
The Garden Club always included her in their awards each year creating one especially for Peggy and her dahlias. Her passion was taking bunches of flowers to all the businesses downtown and enjoying their happy smiles when they received her flowers. She did this each week until she had to give up driving in her 91st year. She knew she couldn’t pass the driving test so I gave her one week to get used to the idea then we went down and turned in her license.
In 2003 Peggy was named Senior Citizen of the Year and that just made her life come together! It was the high point for someone who loved to do so many things for other people. That was always her goal in life to make others lives so enjoyable. One of the many things she did was to crochet baby blankets for the hospital gift shop and she was always making afghans and scarves for who ever came to the house to visit.
Peggy will be dearly missed by her family, and the many friends she made in the community of Campbell River.
A very special and loving thank you goes out to New Horizons and the very special ladies that take care of the patients in the Special Care wing. They are the most kind and loving ladies I have ever had the pleasure to meet. You are the ones who have made my Mom’s last days so very special. Thank you!
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to commemorate a life that was so well lived. Please watch for the announcement. Condolences may be left at www.MeM.com.