It is with great sadness that the family of Peggy Eileen Freethy announces her peaceful passing on May 19, 2018 at the age of 99. Peggy leaves behind a legacy of laughter, storytelling, and an adventurous spirit that will be cherished by all who knew her.
Peggy is survived by her three children, Diane, Russell (Dorothy) and Eileen Silver (Rick); Granddaughter, Erin Larsen (Adam) and her Great Granddaughter, Hazel. She will also be lovingly remembered by her niece, Barbara Jones of Toronto; numerous cousins, extended family and dear friends.
Peggy Eileen Mulliner was born in Victoria on August 21, 1918. She grew up in James Bay with her parents, Frank and Pleasance Mulliner and her younger sister, Betty. She graduated from Victoria High School in 1936 then worked at the Hudson’s Bay Company before marrying William Ralph Freethy in June of 1940. Peggy was incredibly active within the Victoria community and later developed a passion for art and antiques which led to the opening of Pegasus Antiques on Langley Street where she spent the next 30 years.
One of the secrets to Peggy’s longevity was her swimming regimen at the Grand Pacific Hotel. She was also an active member of the Union Club and loved spending time with the many friends she made there.
At Peggy’s request a private family service was held, but please join us for a farewell visitation in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, on Thursday, June 14th, 2018 from 1:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in Peggy’s honour to the charity of your choice
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Ann and Zola Auld
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Gail Jarema We’ve only known Peggy since we moved to the apartment directly below her home. Peggy was a cheerful neighbor and we had many little visits balcony to balcony. Peggy entertained us with her stories about Victoria and the neighborhood. We admired her pluck. We shall miss these mini visits. Joe and Gail
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Brenda Baceda I am so sad that my lovely friend Peggy has gone. I have known and enjoyed a wonderful friendship with Peggy for over 30 years. Peggy was brilliant and was like a walking encyclopedia when it came to Antiques. We spent many many hours together going through her treasures. I helped Peggy in her later years to sell some of them. I met her in her little shop Pegasus Antiques. Peggy was a perfect storekeeper and was always up for new adventures. When I visited her I would take her a bottle of her favourite sherry…she always chuckled and said “you shouldn’t have, but I’m glad you did”. I truly loved Peggy and will miss her. My thoughts are with her family that were her greatest treasure ♡
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Claudia Butler I miss Peggy terribly. In mitigating the pain of losing a best friend I try to think only of all the wonderful times we had together. We met some years ago in the Grand Pacific pool and instantly recognized our compatibility, perhaps because we both grew up in Victoria or because I was raised by a grandmother who was the same age as Peggy’s mother. More likely it was because we shared so many interests; history, art, music, travel, your passion for Lord Nelson, opera, and celebrating holidays, birthdays etc. We enjoyed our escapades followed by cooking dinner together almost daily.
I loved Peggy’s stories about her life growing up in Victoria. She knew the Carr sisters, having attended Alice’s kindergarten. She played with Sir James Douglas’s grandchildren and was acquainted with many persons making Victoria’s history. I’ve heard lots of great things about Pegasus, her antique store, but I was in Europe or elsewhere, so enjoy talking with people who knew Peggy then.
Recently our time together has been a pool swim and then an afternoon at the Union Club (Peggy was a first female member!) where we read and discussed all manner of subjects.
You were always in good humour, ready for any adventure and full of fun. We enjoyed the humour in life and we spent a lot of our time in laughter.
It is now three weeks since your passing which has left a deep sorrow in my life. You are/were a very special person who touched the lives of many right until your last day.
How grateful I am to have shared your last years. Thank you Peggy. You will always be in my heart.
Condolences to your family.
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Bill Hunter Peggy welcomed us as tenants at Central Avenue with respect and concern for our comfort. She generously offered her beautiful yard and orchard for our family’s wedding reception, enhanced by Russell’s fine performance at the BBQ. I later relied on Peggy at Christmas to find elegant gifts from her antique store that I could give my own mother. Visiting Peggy at her upper storey apartment downtown, she treated me to my first evening overview of the city. She will always be a standout Victoria memory for me. My condolences to Russell and all the family.
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Katherine Aikens I’ve only known Peggy for two years but it didn’t take long to see that she set the bar high for this younger generation. I will miss her wit, her mischivous smile, her laughter and her profound interest in other’s lives and interests. (And I now know how to cook an egg….properly)! Really going to miss this lady.
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Trish Hunter I was privileged to live next door to Peggy, Ralph and Russell in their lovely little home on Central Avenue. Bill and Dale , Baby Ellen and I felt very welcome there! We so enjoyed cheerful stories and laughter.
An incident I remember well is that in enjoying the beautiful property, I discovered a bountiful yellow plum bush, heavy with ripe fruit, out behind the houses. I helped myself to a bagful to share with others on a hike.
Later that same afternoon, Peggy appeared on the doorstop with a beautiful crystal bowl full of those plums, and presented them as a gift! No scolding for having helped myself, but my goodness, I knew to ‘ask first’ from then on!
I will always remember Peggy’s warmth and hospitality. May you be comforted by the wealth of memories you hold dear!
Respectfully, Trish Hunter
To Russell and Family – We are sad to learn of your loss. To make it to just about 100 suggests a fine, fine life; a life well-lived, on Pegasus’s own terms. Sending love to you all, Ann and Zola.