Margaret Joan Pennyfather

Mum slipped away on Sunday November 23. After a family lunch, we all sat with Mum as she slept, chatting quietly. We handed over her bedroom to her Personal Support Workers, and she slipped away.

Mum was predeceased by her husband John Cyril Pennyfather (April 13, 2014). She is survived by her children, Margaret, Helen McLoughlin (Francis), and John (Lisa Newman), and 6 grandchildren Brendan, Kieran (Madeleine Blainey) and Claire McLoughlin, and Sam, Lucy and Kate Pennyfather.

Margaret followed her husband John to Canada with daughter Margaret in 1957 from England. John was an engineer, and travelled for work, accompanied by Margaret to ASHRAE conventions and elsewhere, usually to interesting and sometimes exotic places.

Living in Richmond Hill, Margaret restarted her career with the McMichael Canadian Collection in Kleinberg, Ontario as a Guide, moving to Administration. Working with the CAO and Security, she worked with the colour separations for the gallery prints, and met with artists to order for the Gallery Shop, and kept the administration for the gallery ticking over smoothly. We learned about the art of many Canadian artists and were privileged to travel to some interesting locations, understanding at a young age about issues that are now part of Truth and Reconciliation. She saw the gallery grow from the original concept to an active and complex Ontario treasure.

Margaret and John were everything to each other. They loved their family dearly and enjoyed being with them, supporting the children in their interests, thinking nothing of having 3 or 4 musical instruments practiced in the home with their friends, including drums. They faithfully attended every concert. Sometimes Mum provided transportation in her yellow Renault, often carrying a drum kit and a string bass.

Upon retirement, they moved to Fergus where they were active in PROBUS, and Margaret joined the Newcomers Club and Lunch Bunch, and when John passed away, she moved to Guelph with daughter Margaret.

Margaret was an inveterate people watcher, and enjoyed a trip out for a coffee or lunch, at Symposium, Robusta, William’s or Timmy’s. She especially loved to go out for a drive to Lakes Huron and Erie, exploring or sitting on the beach.

Margaret was loved by all her extended family in Canada and England who will miss her greatly, and she was adored by Tommy the rescue cat, whom she loved, and he really misses her.

There will be a Celebration of Life December 3 from 2.00 to 4.00pm at the Hart Chapel of Gilbert McIntyre & Sons, 1099 Gordon St., Guelph.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of Waterloo Wellington, or Guelph General Hospital.