Tribute

Peggy Ann Massey (nee Haxthow)

May 15, 1939 – July 19, 2023

On July 19, 2023, Peggy Massey’s lovely, bright energy left us.

Peggy was Mom to her four children:  Sandy, Dan, Lisa & Andy; and Appé to her nine grandchildren:  Matt, Ben, James, Jessie, Jayden, Nic, Jake, Scott, and Sarah.  Her life graced and enriched their lives.  They are forever grateful to her for the sense of family and fun, and the many happy moments she created for them.  Peggy was cherished daily by her husband Mel throughout their 61 years of marriage.  After Mel passed in 2021, she said she wished they had another 61 years together!  But Peggy felt they would meet again and told family she would be dancing in Mel’s arms again.  She loved her family dearly and they loved her deeply in return.

Peggy was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario—known as Port Arthur back in her day—the second of four children born to Eilif and Helen (nee Taylor) Haxthow.  In 1951 the family moved to the Cowichan Valley, first to Lake Cowichan and then to Quamichan Lake, where her parents bought a property named Stoker Hill, which she remembered fondly.  Her parents eventually built a more modern home nearby on Maple Bay Road where Peggy grew up alongside her older sister Grace, and younger siblings Rolf and Sally.  Peggy was very proud of her Norwegian heritage on her father’s side.  She spoke about her father’s arrival in Canada, the family’s connection to Hollyburn Mountain where he met Peggy’s mother, Helen, and she absolutely cherished his artwork, which filled her family homes.

Peggy graduated from Cowichan Valley High School in 1957 along with her long-time sweetheart Mel.  She made lifelong friends during her school years and Peggy spoke highly about her close-knit group of classmates.  She thought it a rare gift to have friendships spanning seventy-plus years.  Peggy and Mel began their married life together in 1959, living in Victoria as their first stop as a married couple.  They raised a growing family and created a lifetime of wonderful memories for them all.  Peggy loved to entertain and there were many great times spent with family and friends, as they moved from town to town following Mel’s work in Victoria, Duncan, Port Alberni, Westbank, White Rock, Nanaimo; and then as working empty nesters they lived in the Lower Mainland near Granville Island and then back to White Rock – a favorite location.

Along the way, many more lifelong friends were made.  Their Lake Family was a special group of people with whom the Massey family spent many wonderful summers enjoying life at the cabin on Sproat Lake.  Peggy loved the years of fun, laughter, and big-time partying with their well-loved lake friends.  There was nothing Peggy liked better than dancing, singing, and enjoying what she termed her ‘wonderful life’.

Peggy enjoyed careers first as a secretary at the mill in Crofton, then as a librarian’s aid in the elementary schools in Westbank and Peachland.  She worked alongside Mel in the Super Valu grocery stores in Nanaimo and Duncan.  She also received her realtor’s license and worked in both White Rock and Parksville.  She was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi and Toastmasters International.  Through the years Peggy and Mel enjoyed many travels… their favorites being the Hawaiian Islands, Paris, and Hong Kong. Peggy said that if she had to live in a big city, she would have picked Hong Kong!  Their good friends the Geernaerts accompanied them on many fun filled trips.

The couple finally retired to Parksville where they lived for over 20 years and enjoyed visits with their grandchildren, tended to their extensive gardens, and spent time with friends.  They shared their days with their beloved furry friend “Buddy,” followed by cute little “Tippy” who also joined them in the move to their final home for the past six years in Duncan.

Peggy chose her own path and showed her strength and courage in her decision to use the MAiD process.  She was ready to join Mel but wanted her friends and family to know how much they all meant to her.  Please remember her with a smile and maybe a laugh or two when you think about your time together.

Just before leaving this world, Peggy wrote:

I wish you peace and contentment in your life.  Thank you for being a part of mine.

With love,

Peggy