Margaret Gilmour

Peggy Gilmour of Kamloops, BC, passed away peacefully in her home in her 86th year on Sunday, June 29th, 2014 with her family by her side.

Peggy was born in Kamloops, BC on January 6th, 1928 to Arthur and Isabella Parke of Cache Creek, BC and was raised on the Bonaparte Ranch outside of Cache Creek. She was home schooled from grades one through three, and then attended school in Ashcroft before heading to York House School in Vancouver for grades 10 through 12. Peggy developed her life long love and appreciation for the arts during mandatory outings to musical events such as the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra during her years at York House School. Peggy graduated as head girl from York House School in 1945.

She then went on to attend UBC where she studied English and graduated in 1949 with a BA (Hons) degree. During her time at UBC, she pledged the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, acting as treasurer in her final year. After graduation Peggy took business courses before starting work in the early 1950s in the office of university president, Dr.Norman McKenzie. During those years, Dr. McKenzie presided over significant expansion at UBC as veterans returned home for free education offered by the government.

After working at UBC, Peggy packed up and travelled to England with friends, staying on after they returned home to work as a dictation typist in the foreign services news division at the British Broadcasting Corporation. Although the pay was minimal, Peggy was able to enjoy the theatre four nights a week since tickets then were, in her words, “so cheap”. She was in London at Canada House as the procession of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II passed through Trafalgar Square and she was subsequently invited to tea at Buckingham Palace.

While working at Canada House, she met Ruth Massey (nee Killam) who had a brand new MGB convertible and was looking for a partner with whom to embark on a European road trip. Peggy jumped at the chance to go and between 1952 and 1954, they travelled through Europe exploring countries such as France, Spain, Germany, Scotland, Italy, Switzerland and Morocco. Through this chance meeting they remained life long friends.

Peggy subsequently returned to Kamloops where she worked for the law firm of Fulton, Morley, Verchere & Rogers as secretary to MP Davie Fulton. Her primary function as she described it, was “holding down the fort” while Davie was in Ottawa.

Upon returning home from Europe, Peggy also became reacquainted with Allan Gilmour, whom she had previously met while studying at UBC. Allan and Peggy married in November 1956 and went on to live in Williams Lake, Victoria and Kamloops, before settling in Merritt to raise their two boys and three girls. Winter weekends were spent skiing at Silver Star with the Guy Rose family from Quilchena, BC; and summers were spent at Nicola Lake. Peggy immersed herself in the Merritt community and derived immense satisfaction in bringing arts and cultural productions to the Merritt schools. Many lifelong friendships were forged through Allan and Peggy’s links to the forestry, mining, and ranching communities throughout the Nicola Valley.

From birth, Peggy’s ties to ranching were so strong. She simply loved to be on horseback and was just a phone call away, ready with her own saddle, bridle and spurs to help local ranchers move cattle out on the summer range.

In 1982, prior to Allan’s retirement from Tolko Industries, Allan and Peggy returned to Kamloops and settled on the South Thompson River in Valley View. Peggy rekindled her connections and again immersed herself in her community. She was recruited to the board of the Western Canada Theatre Company, presiding as it’s president for many years, and was elected as an honorary Life Member in October 1992. She found her work with the theatre company immensely rewarding.

Peggy was the co-chair of the fundraising campaign for the new Kamloops Art Gallery and in 1991 was the chairperson for the YWCA Women’s and Children’s Shelter Campaign. She was a significant supporter of the Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism and the Kamloops Chapter of the “Can Go Grannies” for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Peggy volunteered at the Canada Summer Games, managed the volunteers for the 1986 Special Olympics, and campaigned annually for the Kidney Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society.

In 1988 Peggy was awarded Volunteer of the Year in appreciation for her community service to the Arts. In 1993 she was awarded the City of Kamloops Centennial Medal in recognition of her significant contribution to her community. In 2002 she was awarded the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for her significant contribution to her community.

Peggy had strongly held political beliefs, ones that were likely inherited from her father, Arthur. She was also active in many political campaigns at all levels of government. Many family occasions were interrupted by spirited debate between Peggy and her equally strong-minded brother, Gordon.

Peggy loved to ski. She skied upwards of 40 days a season until her 84th year. Some of her happiest days were spent up at Sun Peaks surrounded by her growing family to whom she passed along both her love of skiing and après skiing.

After moving back to Kamloops, summers were spent at the cabin at Pavilion Lake on property that has been in Peggy’s family since 1914. She delighted in being there surrounded by her grandchildren.

Peggy and Allan loved to travel. Their trips were carefully documented with a steady stream of post cards sent to family and friends. After Allan passed away, Peggy continued to travel on her own and in May of this year she had a fabulous trip to South Africa. Peggy had already made plans for her next trip to the Galapagos Islands this coming November.

Peggy is survived by her five children; Bruce (Wendy) of Vancouver; Ross (Andrea) of North Vancouver; Alison Sawers (Norman) of North Vancouver; Daphne Marvel (James) of New Westminster; and Elspeth Cooper (Darren) of North Vancouver. “Gran” will be dearly missed by her eleven grandchildren: Sarah; Stephanie, Charlotte and Georgia; Bronwen, Malcolm and Audrey; Paige, Gillian and Andrea; and Stuart.

She is also survived by her brother, Gordon Parke of Vancouver, and many nieces and nephews.

Peggy was predeceased by her husband, Allan in July 2008, and by her brother, Alan in March 2003.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 8th at 2:00pm at St. Paul's Cathedral, 360 Nicola Street, Kamloops, BC and will be officiated by the Very Rev. Louise Peters. A reception will be held at the Cathedral Hall immediately following the service.

Arrangements are being made by Schoening Funeral Service, 513 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC, www.schoeningfuneralservice.com

In memory of Peggy Gilmour donations may be made to one of the following charities:

o Western Canada Theatre Box 329, 1025 Lorne Street Kamloops, BC V2C 5K9

o Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism 1111 Tranquille Rd, Kamloops, BC V2B 3J8

o The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) – BC-Yukon Division, 100-5055 Joyce St, Vancouver, BC V5R 6V2

Peggy's family would also like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. J. Francois Malan, not only for his medical expertise, but more importantly, for his compassion and inspiration as he encouraged “m’lady” to take her last epic trip to South Africa. We would also like to thank the staff of Royal Inland Hospital 3 West, and the Home Health Palliative Care Team.