PETERS

MARGARET JOSEPHINE PETERS, beloved wife of the late Leander (Leo) Peters, passed away peacefully with family at her side on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at the Edith Cavell Care Centre at the age of 86 years.

Margaret leaves to mourn her passing; daughters Vangie (Jack) Heynen, Ruth (Auke) Elzinga and Faye Lothian; grandchildren Candice Elzinga (Shane Connelly), Dana (Gavin) McCaffrey, Jeff Heynen (Parisa Rezaiefar), Sarah Heynen (Warren Brown), Matthew (Tamalynn) Lothian, Lisa Lothian, David (Tara) Lothian and seven great grandchildren.

She is also survived by one sister, Edith Steckler in Chilliwack, B.C., and one niece, Linda Cohen in Henderson, Nevada. She was predeceased by her loving husband Leo and her sister Grace.

Margaret was born March 3rd, 1923 in Hillyard, Washington to Jacob and Esther Odegard. With Margaret just a babe in arms, Jake and Esther moved to the Southern Alberta prairies to what Margaret, in recalling her youth, referred to as the “Whitney Ranch”, which was located at the current site of the Travers Dam.

Following high school graduation, Margaret attended Prairie Bible Institute in Three Hills, Alberta, a residential school with a rigorous three year religious education program. She graduated in the spring of 1943 and in October of that year she married Leo, the love of her life. Margaret loved people, was hardworking and willing to take on many challenges. Her last and most rewarding employment was her position as Assistant Manager of the Alberta Motor Vehicle Branch in Lethbridge, retiring in 1984. Once retired, she loved being at home, working in her yard, feeding the sparrows, baking the best apple pies, playing her beloved piano, singing and just enjoying time spent with friends and family, especially her grandchildren. The coffee was always on and the cookie jar filled. A deep and abiding faith brought peace and comfort to Margaret’s life. She devoted many years of service assisting in Sunday School Programs, later singing with the Joybelles a ladies’ choral group at First Baptist Church, and offering her musical talent to numerous long term care facilities, including the Edith Cavell Care Centre, which became her home in 2005.

Margaret was an extraordinary and greatly loved mother, grandmother, sister and friend who lived her life to bring joy to others. Our sincere gratitude to the staff of Edith Cavell Care Centre for the loving care given to our Mom and Grandma.

A Celebration of Margaret’s life will be held at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, 1614-5th Ave. S., Lethbridge on Friday, January 15th, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Dr. Bruce Martin officiating.

A Private Family Interment will be held prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Operation Eyesight Universal, #4 Parkdale Crescent, N.W., Calgary, AB, T2N 3T8.

Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca