Jean "Peggy" Elizabeth Toole

It is with sadness that we announce the death of J. E. M.”Peggy” Toole, of Halifax, NS on June 30, 2026. Peggy lived her life with spirit, and confidence. Born in Ottawa, in 1930, Halifax was her home. She was the daughter of Marshall Hall Smith & Lillian (Keating) Smith, both of Halifax. Peggy attended Queen Elizabeth High School and the Halifax Business Academy. Throughout her working life she had an eye for detail and accuracy from transcribing lab reports at the Path lab, to admin assistant to H R Doane and Ronald Shaw, and most especially, alongside her husband Vern, at J HV Toole Limited. Peggy married her best friend in life, Vernon Toole in 1963. They were devoted to each other for 56 years.. Peggy delighted in entertaining, an invaluable trait, as she supported Vern’s Masonic life work with her style and flair. That exuberance for life was passed along to their cherished daughter, Kathleen Toole. Peggy was passionate about the arts, creating a rich collection of paintings and sketches. She was both a life long student of art and a very generous teacher. A voracious reader and she treasured her collection of books. She could quote poems from heart, often combined with her quick wit. An avid swimmer, she swam daily while at her much loved summer home at Indian Point. Peggy was an active member of the St Paul’s Anglican Church, and in the summer, the Union Church of Indian Point. She was most recently a resident of the Berkeley on Gladstone, where she took delight in the community and all of its events.

Peggy is predeceased by her husband Vernon Toole, and her sister Dorothy Patricia (Smith) Richards of Vancouver.

She is survived by her beloved daughter Kathleen “Kate” Toole, as well as her nephews and niece, her cousins, and many valued friends.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff and community of the Berkeley Gladstone for their years friendship and care; and to the nurses, doctors and staff at the neurology unit 7.4 QEII Health Sciences Centre.

In lieu of flowers, friends may wish to think of the QEII Health Science Centre, The Rector’s Lunch at St Paul’s Anglican Church, or a charity of choice.

Cremation has already occurred, arrangements made through J.A. Snow Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 10 at 11:00am in St. Paul’s Anglican, Grand Parade, Barrington Street, Halifax.