In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

 

Margaret French DeGrace (née Maclauchlan)

 

WRCNS

 

Born: 29 Jul 1924, Kentville, Nova Scotia

 

Died: 05 Jul 2007, Sebim Beach, Villagedale, Nova Scotia

 

DeGRACE, Margaret French (née Maclauchlan) - of Wolfville, passed away peacefully at her cottage at Sebim Beach, Villagedale, N.S. on July 5, 2007. Peggy was born July 29, 1924 in Kentville, N.S. the daughter of the late Roderick and Marian (Frink) Maclauchlan. She spent her early years with her family in Rothesay, N.B., Wolfville and Yarmouth, N.S. She served in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Wren (WRCNS) from 1944 to 1945, working in Halifax, and in 1945 married Robert F. DeGrace of Seattle, Washington. They made their first home in Seattle, and after several years there, and in Corvallis, Oregon, they moved back to Canada in 1952. Eventually they settled in Manor Park in Ottawa, where they lived for thirty years. Peggy was not only a busy community volunteer (sometimes referred to as "Mrs. Altar Guild"). She was also a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, and a caring friend to many. She took up curling at the RCMP Curling Club in Ottawa and developed a love for this sport which stayed with her all her life. She was interested in everything; politics, sports, community events, a good game of cribbage, and, above all the well-being of family and friends. In 1984 Peggy and Bob moved to Wolfville, Nova Scotia where they renewed old friendships and developed many new ones. In Wolfville, Peggy was a member of St. John's Anglican Church and worked faithfully for the church. She helped with Meals on Wheels, served on the local hospital auxiliary and canvassed for many important charities. Peggy loved her cottage at Sebim Beach and nothing pleased her more than a sunny day, a warm tide, and lots of children and dogs. She is survived by her sons John (Judy Simms), Prince George, B.C. and Bill, Bermuda; daughters Barbara Thompson (Jim), Kingston, Ontario, Mary Keirstead (Rod), Caledonia, N.S. and Anne (Phillip Jackson), Nelson, B.C.; her sister, Joan Tapley, Cockeysville, Maryland; ten grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Bob, and her brother, Jim Maclauchlan. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John's Anglican Church, Wolfville, Reverend Cathy-Lee Cunningham officiating, assisted by Canon Russell Elliott. Funeral arrangements are under the care and direction of H.C. Lindsay Funeral Home, 568 Main St. Wolfville 902-542-2151. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VON Tri-County-Branch, 55 Starrs Road, Yarmouth, N.S., B5A 2T2; Salvation Army, or the Villagedale Cemetery Fund. The words of St. Francis: "Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take nothing you have received....but only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage." (Ottawa Citizen 07 Jul 2007)

 


 

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