A Celebration of Life for the late Peggy Russell who passed away June 7, 2021 will be held on Thursday July 15, 2021 at 2:00pm at Topsail United Church, CBS. Due to Covid-19 restrictions attendance will be limited and those wishing to attend are expected to pre-register and provide their contact information in advance by either calling the Church at 834-4567 or emailing office@topsailunited.ca. For those who can’t attend, the service will be live streamed via Topsail United Church Facebook page www.facebook.com/TopsailUnitedChurch or Topsail United Church You Tube www.youtube.com/channel/UChHzJoaa8QGZfmHbt5OC5bg/featured
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The fabric of the lives of the Russell family changed forever with the quiet passing of Margaret Miriam (Cross) Russell (Peggy) on June 7, 2021 after a very brief illness but long and fulfilled life of 96 years. Peggy was born in Grimsby, Ontario in 1924. Predeceased by her husband Frederick William in 2001. Leaving with wonderful memories four children, Doug (Verda), Jan (Rick Spracklin), Jim (Deanna), and Peter (Lesleigh). Fourteen grandchildren: Kerri (Chris Neary), Ashley, Alexia (Chris Feltham), Tracy (Terry Hudson), Dan (Alison), Lesley (Karl Reid), Fred (Lisa), Carolyn, Peter, Rebecca (Keith Maddocks), Lara (Andy Malam), Catherine (Dan Frye), Ben and Sam, nineteen great-grandchildren: Katia, Adia, Elliott, Eva, Zack, Juliette, Ronin, Dawson, Annaka, Lyla, Nelson, Autumn, Beatrice, Elijah, Teddy, Avery, William, Issac and Grace. Also leaving to mourn her sister Barbara McKinnon, Guelph ON, and brother-in-law Don (Pat) Russell, Amherst NS, as well as nieces and nephews.
Peggy met the love of her life, Fred, while they were both in service for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in Dartmouth, NS, in the early stages of World War Two. She often said that the 25 cents that it cost to get into the dance where they met was the best quarter she ever spent. They married in 1946 and she moved from Ontario to St. John’s, knowing only Fred but ready for the adventure. She embraced the province and people completely for over 70 years.
From 1991 to 1997, she and Fred served the people of the province as Lieutenant Governor and Her Honour of Newfoundland and Labrador. She graciously welcomed royalty and dignitaries to our province and was as warm and kind to everyone as she was to the Queen. Peggy was invested as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2000.
Peggy cultivated a multitude of friendships and had a very special gift of making anyone feel at ease in her presence due to her kind and welcoming spirit. She was well-traveled, well-read and well-informed. Her memory was legendary within the family and she remained interested in everyone’s passions until the very end.
Her greatest passions were her family, her garden, reading and long visits to Florida. When she was a child Peggy told her parents that when she grew up she wanted to live in a house where the supper guests every evening were a surprise, and the summer house on Windy Cove Lane in Manuels was exactly that. In the late 1970s she and Fred built a swimming pool as a “grandchild trap”. The family pool has been a gathering place for generations of family members and friends and it was Grandma’s greatest joy to sit by the pool and watch children swimming. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s friends were as welcome as family and she was “Grandma” to them all. She touched so many people’s lives and was truly able to see the best in everyone.
Her zest for life and new adventure never waned. Well into her 90s she was a joy to behold as she was strapped into her “throne” chair on the back of Rick’s ATV to make the short journey down to the wharf for a trip out in the boat. She loved to be out on the water, wind blowing through her hair. When she wasn’t on the boat she watched faithfully for its departure and return, waving from the deck.
Grandma taught us all the power of positive thinking and showed us that you are never too old for your next dream or adventure. Starting with her 80th birthday she began to bring family together for a celebratory adventure. Every five years we met as a clan in Cuba, Jamaica, on a cruise and finally on her 95th birthday in Newfoundland. And what celebrations they were!
The family is forever grateful to Jim and Deanna, who lived with Grandma and cared for her for the last five years, allowing her to remain in her beloved home.
The difficult part now remains, how to follow in her example and live well in a world without her presence. We will miss her forever.
Because of Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no visitation. A celebration of her life will be held later in July. Donations in her honour may be made to the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation (cancercarefoundation.ca) or the Manuels River Natural Heritage Society (manuelsriver.ca).
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November 5 1924 to June 7 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Margaret Miriam Cross Russell Peggy November 5 1924 to June 7 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: St-John’s, Province: T-N