CUNNINGHAM, Margaret Isabel “Peggy”

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Our family and community have lost an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.  After several years of fighting kidney disease, dementia, and mobility issues related to her knees, Peggy passed at the Kelowna Hospice House on August 6, 2026.  Peggy was an extraordinary woman, with a giant heart and love for her family and community.

Peggy was born in Creston, BC, to parents Joseph and Kathleen Clayton.  She was one of five children; her siblings were Barbara (George), Jeannette (Randy), Bryan (Marilynn), and Jodi (Bob).  She attended elementary school in North Vancouver, high school in Merritt, BC, and the University of Victoria.  Peggy was in university for a couple of months when she met her future husband, Don Cunningham, a third-year science student, at UVic.  They met via a mutual friend, Jim Ellingson.  Don and Peggy dated for eight months before getting married in Merritt on June 24, 1967.  A bouncing baby boy arrived on the scene on November 17, 1967.  Using Peggy’s surname, they named him  “Clayton”.  Following Don’s graduation and professional year, the family moved to Quesnel, BC, in August of 1969, where Don began his teaching career.

In the spring of 1970, precious daughter Teresa arrived. What a beautiful girl.  What a wonderful family.  Keeping us all in line was a full-time job for Peggy until Teresa was age 10.  Peggy was then hired by School District #28, Quesnel, as a substitute teacher, later moving to the Continuing Education Department, where she supervised a computer-based upgrading program to provide those who desired graduation equivalency.

Peggy and Don loved wilderness adventures and travel in general.  Together they hiked, skied, and snowshoed many of the spectacular mountains in the Wells-Barkerville area, often with kids in tow.  She paddled with Don the 116 km Bowron Lake Canoe Circuit and really loved kayaking the smaller lakes on her own. Peggy skied the 50 km Cariboo Marathon in 100 Mile House 20 times.  Together they climbed to Snowbird Pass on Mt. Robson, hiked 125 km of the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain, and in 1994 took a year off work to backpack around the world.  This year was different, often described as the best year of their lives: three months in Europe, three months in Eastern Africa, three months in Asia, where once again hiking was on the menu.  Their goal: the Annapurna Base Camp in the Himalayan Mountains. Peggy got altitude sickness, so they moved to a lower elevation. And finally, three months in Oceania.

In August 1996, son Clayton married his sweetheart, Connie Martens.  Peggy’s only grandchild, Max, made his appearance on May 20, 2003.  Peggy also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Another adventure for Peggy was their 1981 purchase of the historic Katzel Farm.  For the next 34 years, they renovated and built new structures and fencing, making everything more secure and efficient to handle a small herd of beef cattle and a small apiary on their 160-acre dream.  Teresa loved it because she could ride her horse, Taco.  Clayton loved it because it was adjacent to the Quesnel Golf Course.  And Don loved it because his childhood dreams were becoming reality.  Peggy, who claimed she had never stood on the same side of the fence as a cow or horse, grew to love the farm and its new adventures.

As a mother and wife, Peggy was a star, the loving wife every man desires.  She loved raising kids, was a fabulous gardener and wonderful cook, and a huge help on the farm chasing cows and extracting honey.  She loved the family reunions held on the farm. Peggy was selfless and endlessly giving to family members, neighbours, and even strangers.  Peggy was our best friend and the heart of our home.  Her loss has been unbearable.  We will never forget her.  At the same time, she is now free from the pain of dementia, dialysis, and mobility issues.  Rest in peace, our cherished Peggy, until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favourite charity.

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