DILLABOUGH, Margaret Jean (nee Leith), fondly known as "Peggy", passed away at the fine age of 92 on February 13th, 2014 in Vancouver, British Columbia. She leaves behind three children: Brian, Susan and Jo-Anne; grandchildren Kelly, Andrew, Jeremy, Dominique and Pascal and three great-grandchildren, Chloe, Autumn and Kalson. She also has many nieces and nephews from the Leith and Dillabough side of the family but perhaps her closest living nieces and nephews, all of whom she adored, are Deborah Leith, Georgia (Brent) Bannister, and Margaret (Ed) Buchinski, Dick Robinson and Bill (Sandy) Robinson. Many relatives still remain in Peggy's home community of Glamis, Saskatchewan, a place full of family members she never forgot in her heart. She was predeceased by her parents John and Florence (Edwards) Leith, her sisters Florence Robinson and Edith Tweedy, her brothers Reginald Edwards and George Leith, her niece Dana (Robinson) Sutton, her husband Bob (1999) and her eldest son, Ian (1986). Peggy will be remembered by many for her kindness, generosity and selflessness in her work with many organizations and people (e.g. Women's Shelter, Friends of Schizophrenia, The Crisis Line and many more). Some will remember her as a head and assistant head dietitian at the Vancouver General and Kelowna General Hospitals; and others from Dr. Knox, KSS and George Pringle schools as a school counsellor, legal studies or home economics teacher. Peggy obtained one of the first degrees offered to Canadian women in Domestic Science at the University of Saskatchewan in 1942 (graduating with stellar marks near the top of her class). She obtained a Masters degree in Counselling and served diligently as a dietitian at the Tuberculosis Centre in Tranquille, BC during the inter-war years. She was a well-respected teacher and counsellor for the remainder of her career and represented a pioneering spirit to other women wishing to seek out a profession in a historical moment where it was not always easy to be seen as a respectable working woman. She was a union activist and a long-standing member of the BCTF's branch of the Status of Women. She was even nominated for the Order of British Columbia. But perhaps her greatest gift, beyond a sharp intelligence, was her kindness towards others from every walk of life. She did not distinguish humans as good or bad. She just did whatever she could for anyone she felt needed the support. And kindness, as is death, are important teachers for us all, for they allow us to carry something forward into the future as we struggle to be the best humans we can be. That was Peggy's life work. She lived life always on the go. For example, she had the Kelowna Cab company on speed dial. They'd come to pick her up and end up throwing laundry in the dryer for her or packing books for her. She was brilliant; having won many awards, including one entitled 'Service above Self'. But Peggy had the most sincere and gifted humility that one could ever have the pleasure of witnessing. She never felt a need to preen over her accomplishments. She always made everyone feel important, and when we'd come to visit she'd make sure we had everything we needed and if not, she'd run out and get it!! Thank you Peggy!! You have done us proud and your memory will live on with our families, our children and grandchildren and our friends forever. A memorial service in Peggy's honour will take place in the Spring in Kelowna, BC and will be announced in the Kelowna Daily Courier. In lieu of flowers, Peggy would have appreciated donations to charities that were important to her: Friends of Schizophrenia, The Women's Shelter (Kelowna branch), the Crisis Line or any charity of your choice and would be gratefully appreciated by the family. Anyone wishing to leave thoughts for the family about Peggy can go to the First Memorial Service, North Vancouver, 604-980-3451 http://fs17.formsite.com/firstmemorial/form039164861/index.html where there is a condolence page.
