Margaret Edwards

EDWARDS _ Margaret (Peggy) Gwendolyn (nee Rees) June 10, 1927 - December 20, 2008 Peggy Edwards of Calgary passed away peacefully on December 20, 2008, after a brief battle with cancer. She approached death with the same strength and courage that she approached life. Peggy was born in Craigmyle, Alberta and was the only daughter of Sydney and Verna Rees. She and her two brothers grew up on a farm and she completed all of her formal schooling in Craigmyle. During her school years, Peggy completed her Toronto Conservatory of Music certificates in both voice and piano. She briefly left Craigmyle to work at the Courthouse in Vernon, B.C. On her return, she met and fell in love with Maurice (Moe) Stephen Edwards. They were married in 1949 and started their family with the arrival of Sydney Kempton in 1950, and William Mark in 1951. Various moves throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta would bring them to Olds, Alberta where Peggy gave birth to her first daughter, Lori Gail in 1957. The growing family then moved into a new house in S.W. Calgary in 1958. Peggy had her last two children in Calgary, a second daughter Julia Ann, in 1961 and a third son Maurice David in 1968. Besides her focus on raising children, Peggy pursued her music career and established a successful music business in the late 1970's - Edwards Music Academy. Peggy taught piano, voice, guitar, banjo, organ, and accordion both in the music students' homes and in her own home. When she was fifty, she began taking art classes. Her talents were expressed with her precise, fine detail of created oil, water color, pen and ink, and pastel paintings. She painted mountains, animals, flowers, still life and portraits. The works were so professional, and her family and friends admired her wonderful artistic talent. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church and sang in the choir for many years. One of her favorite events was the Christmas concert. Peggy loved the opera and theatre, and belonged to many groups, including the camera club, "Open Door" and "Malcolm" groups. Peggy was a kind, caring and sensitive person and stressed that you should "never give up" in this world of continuous struggles. Peggy is remembered with unending and undying love by her surviving family: Sydney (Kim) Edwards (Janet), Lori Wakelam (Cal), Julie McDougall (Scott), and Maurice (Maury) Edwards (Karine Huet). She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Christopher, Tamara, and Lindsay Edwards, Tara, Julie, and Ryan Wakelam, Brooklyn and Connor McDougall, Jessica Blitt, and Jaclyn, Kimberly, and Jamey Edwards. She is also survived by her two great-grandchildren Storm and Isaac Edwards. Peggy is predeceased by her two brothers Maurice and Dave Rees, and her son William Mark (Bill) Edwards. A Celebration of her Life will be held at the First Baptist Church (1311 - 4 Street S.W.), on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. In the Spring of 2009, Peggy's ashes will be placed on a site near to her deceased son at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens. Expressions of sympathy may be made online at www.legacy.com/CAN-Calgary/Obituaries.asp . In lieu of flowers, a donation in Peggy's name may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society: Suite 200, 325 Manning Road N.E., Calgary T2E 2P5. PERSONAL ALTERNATIVE FUNERAL SERVICES 12 East Lake Way N.E., Airdrie, Alberta Telephone: 403-216-5111 and 403-912-0307.