Margaret Lauretta Schwalm Wayne
August 14, 1919 – December 12, 2014
We are sad to announce the passing of Margaret (Peggy) Wayne on Friday afternoon Dec. 12th. She departed as she lived: quietly, gracefully and surrounded by people who loved her.
She was born on the farm in Zurich Ontario, the 9th of 12 children born to Peter and Violet (Pfaff) Schwalm. It was a hot day in August and the threshing crew was hard at work. In her growing up years money was scarce, but love and companionship were there in abundance. After completing grade 10, (2 yrs early and always in the top 3 of her class) she went to London to work as a maid. It was here that the lady of the house took the time to teach her about opera, which she enjoyed all her life.
The war came along and she joined the Navy, was posted to Halifax as a leading Wren and there met a handsome young sailor. It was during this time she became known as Peggy (although always still called Marg by her family). She married Bill Wayne in 1944. Following the war, they moved back to Ontario, building a house in Burlington. Two children were born there, Shirley and Kenneth.
In 1957 they moved west, making a home in Kelowna, then Peachland, then Westbank. She loved God, flowers, music, cats, curling, knitting, her family and her church. In later years, she made her home with Shirley and Lorne here on Salt Spring, and the last year was spent at Greenwoods, where she received gentle and loving care.
Peggy is predeceased by her parents and 10 siblings: AustIn, Gordon, May, Mervyn, Laurene, Nelda, Violet, Lee, Ray and Karl, as well as her husband Bill. She is survived by her children Shirley (Lorne) Bunyan and Ken (Catherine) Wayne, her grandchildren Brad Bunyan, Courtney Mitchell, Ryan Bunyan, Robyn Mitchell, Alex Bunyan and William Wayne and her great grandchildren Edda, Jacob and Eric. She is also survived by her sister Florence Perdue (in Masset) and lots of nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be held at Salt Spring United Church on Monday, Dec. 22nd at 2:00pm. One of her favourite hymns was “Safe in the arms of Jesus”. And that’s where she is. Rest gently Mom. Until we meet again…