In celebration of the beautiful life of Margaret (Peggy) Louise McMillan, age 81 of Dryden, Ontario, who passed away after a lengthy illness on Saturday, July 28, 2007.
Peggy was born in Dryden on November 1, 1925 to the late Louise and Joseph Wintersgill – she was so small they nicknamed her Peg as they said she was the size of a clothes peg.
On February 27, 1946, she married her beloved husband William (Bill) McMillan and together they had 9 children; Douglas (Michelle), Donald (Joan); Judy (Dave Malyk); Shirley (deceased); Nancy (Fred Leeson); Robin (Tracy); Patricia (Rob Rodgers); Stephen and Richard (Kathy). She is survived by 18 grandchildren (Jordon, Clayton, Liza, Matthew, Blair, Christa, Kenneth, Roderick, Melissa, Samantha, Maurice, Tyler, Alexa, Sarah, April, Gabriel, David and Rachel), and also by 12 great-grandchildren.
She is survived by 5 sisters, Beth Angers, Winnipeg; Evelyn Toffan (Ernie), Atikokan; Alice Kushner of Dryden; Laura Vodon (Leo), Brandon; Barbara Egan (Bryan), Salmon Arms; she was predeceased by her sister Frances. Also surviving is one brother-in-law, Angus McMillan. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, but was predeceased by her godson/nephew Billy Kushner.
Before marriage, Peggy worked at Harley’s – but once married, she devoted her talents and life to her family. She was a wonderful baker, and many told her she could have made her fortune with her cinnamon buns and later on her cheese cake. Her recipes could never be duplicated as she never had to measure anything, just a scoop of this and a sprinkle of that. She also loved to knit and knitted many socks, mitts, baby layouts, and sweaters for all her children, then her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and nephews and nieces. She always had a knitting project on the go, but during the Lent season it would strictly be for the Church Bazaar.
She was a chartered member of the Dryden Catholic Women’s League (CWL). She had a strong faith, praying for her family; and extra prayers for those in special need. Two of her daily prayers included: “Lord, your will be done, even when it is difficult, even when I don’t understand. Lord your will be done” and “Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my entire will. Give me only your love and grace. With these I will be rich enough. I desire nothing more”.
She was also a member of the Barclay Women’s Institute, where she enjoyed reminiscing about old times with good friends.
She was also a member of the Dryden’s Women of the Moose for many, many years.
A funeral mass to celebrate Peggy’s life was held on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church with Father Luigi Filippini officiating, burial in the Dryden cemetery. Prayer service and viewing was also held on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 at 5pm the Moffat Funeral Chapel.
If so desire, donations may be made to the Dryden Regional Hospital CT Scan Fund or other charity of choice through the Stevens Funeral Homes “Moffat Chapel”, PO Box 412, Dryden, ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be emailed to sympathycard@shaw.ca subject line: McMillan
