Peggy Eileen Sheffield

Peggy Eileen Sheffield

(neé Sayer)

Peggy, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, born February 25th , 1921 to Bertram and Emma Sayer, Bromley, Kent, UK died on July 2, 2017 at Prairie View Lodge, Pilot Mound. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Eileen (Alvin) Jacobs and their children: Ken Jacobs (Tannis Rentz), Kristina Jacobs and her sons Dakotah and Kaj, and Geoffrey Jacobs; David (Nancy) Sheffield and their children: Rebecca (Josh) Abraham and daughter Sidney, Andrew (Corinne) Sheffield and son Smith; Rodney (Pauline) Sheffield and their sons: John, Matthew (Cassandra) and Josh; Peter (Lorette) Sheffield and their children: Norman (Val), children Amelia and Hunter, Patricia (Mike) Peters and children: Aizlynn and Connlyn, Ryan (Amber) and children: Madison and Logan; Nancy (Gord+)Willms; and sister-in-law Bea Sheffield. She was predeceased by her husband, John Sidney Sheffield; her parents Bertram and Emma Sayer; her only sibling Travers Drewery Sayer; sister-in-law Marian Sayer; niece Rowena Owens; her son-in-law Gord Willms; and all of John's siblings – Nina McCullough, James Sheffield, Joyce Hanks, and Bette Sutton.

Peggy attended both public and secondary schools in Bromley. While in secondary school she became proficient as a stenographer, mastering the art of shorthand which she used all her life. She began working as a secretary at the age of 15, with the Woolwich Equitable Building Society in Bromley High Street. After the outbreak of WWII, Peggy became a member of the Women's Land Army (WLA) in 1942. The WLA was a British civilian organization created to have women replace men in agricultural occupations when the men were called up for service.

It was while working as a Land Girl on a farm belonging to Ralph and Mary Bensted that Peggy met a Canadian soldier – John Sheffield. John was on a leave visiting with the Bensteds, who were second cousins to him. John and Peggy corresponded and spent their leave time together throughout the rest of the war and were married in Bromley on November 5th, 1945. John returned to Canada the end of November and Peggy followed the next year, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax and on July 4, 1946. The next day began the long train journey to Winnipeg where she was met by John and his sister Nina.

Peggy resided in Swan Lake for 70 years contributing her time and talent to many church and community endeavours. Over the years, Peggy served with the ACW (Anglican Church Women), the Lorne Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, the Royal Canadian Legion, the 4-H Club (including serving on the Manitoba Executive Council), the Marigold Home board, the local school board, the board of Louise Credit Union, as secretary for the War Brides Association of Manitoba, the Community Choir, as editor of the Mustard Seed (the newspaper for the Diocese of Brandon), and researching and writing church histories in parishes she looked after.

Following John’s death in 1974, Peggy acted as Lay Reader-in-charge for St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Somerset. After years of studying and on-the-job training, Peggy was ordained a Priest in the Anglican Church in 1985, fulfilling a lifelong desire to do mission work. In 1994, she was made a Canon of St. Matthew's Cathedral and retired from full-time service in 1996.

Peggy was not only an avid reader but also an avid writer, belonging to the Country Quills, a group of amateur writers which met monthly in Holland, until she was no longer able to get her thoughts on paper. We are blessed to have so many of her life stories written down.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00am on Monday, July 10, 2017 in St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church in Swan Lake, Manitoba. Lunch will follow in the Community Hall after a private committal in St. Stephen's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Humane Society of Winnipeg 45 Hurst Way, Winnipeg, MB R3T 0R3 or Lorne Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary c/o Lorette Sheffield, Treasurer Box 249 Swan Lake, MB R0G 2S0

Adam’s Funeral Home of Notre Dame, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 204-248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. For more information and condolences, please visit www.afh.ca

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