Nora Margaret Armstrong

Age 93, of Halifax passed away February 11, 2014, at home in Northwood Manor. Born in Oxford, UK, June 30, 1920, she was the first of the two daughters of the late Malcolm and Annie (Hunt) Hoare. Raised in Oxford, she attended St. Faith’s School on scholarship and began work in the insurance industry following graduation. She met and later married Roderick Antony “Tony” Armstrong in 1942, while he was attending Brasenose College, Oxford University.

After he graduated as a physician, he joined the Royal Air Force, and the couple lived in Wales and then British-occupied Germany until 1953. He then left the Air Force and undertook specialty training as a psychiatrist in Portsmouth U.K., until 1959, when the family emigrated to Digby, N.S. Peggy brought their four young sons to Canada by ship, the S.S. Maasdam, arriving August 1, 1959, at Pier 21. Peggy made friends very easily, and worked as a researcher at the local resource centre she helped to establish when the children grew up.

In 1971 they relocated to New Glasgow, N.S. Just two years later she developed and was successfully operated upon for colorectal cancer. In 1988 following Tony’s death, Peggy moved to Halifax, to be near her two older sons, Bruce and Duncan. Her retirement years as a widow were quite difficult for her, as she was not of a solitary nature, but her lively personality drew acquaintances constantly. She lived in apartments for years, and resided finally in Northwood Manor on Gottingen Street. There she was cared for with affection and skill right until the very end.

Peggy is remembered for her bubbly, infectious liveliness, for her very quick wit, her appetite for books, and her generally feisty nature.

Peggy is survived by sons, Bruce, Waverley; Duncan (Helene), Halifax; Peter (Betty), Penticton, B.C.; Niall (Kasia), Calgary, AB; grandchildren, Jacinte, Janik, Paula, Tom, Devon, Jerad, Ania, Karina; great-grandchildren, Dakota, Brittany, Céu and Halina; her cousin, Christine Browning, Victoria, B.C; Leslie Dennis, Calgary, AB.

She was predeceased by her husband, Roderick “Tony” and her sister, Kathleen Arezina.

The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for the superb care that Peggy enjoyed during her last 3 years in Northwood Manor.

At her wish there was no visitation, and her remains have been cremated. A family memorial will be held. In her memory donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Canadian Mental Health Association.