Obituary of Peggy Nattrass

 

June 6, 1920 - Dilke, Saskatchewan

October 16, 2022 - Calgary, Alberta

 

Agathe “Peggy” Nattrass (nee Selinger), of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, October 16, 2022 at the age of 102 years.

 

The third oldest of twelve children, was born to a close pioneer family, at home near Dilke, SK, on June 6, 1920. She married her husband Carl, who had been in the armed forces, in 1941 in Regina.  After the war they moved to Black Diamond Alberta, then High River Alberta and eventually to Calgary in 1950. Carl worked as a carpenter in each location.

 

In 1957 Peggy went to work at Eaton’s Department Store in the Paint and Hardware department in Calgary. She retired from Eaton’s in 1982 after 25 years. After retirement Peggy travelled with friends and family including trips to Europe, Mexico, Alaska, and other destinations in the USA.  She also spent parts of some winters with family in the southern United States.

 

Peggy loved her home in Highland Park in Calgary and kept a large, beautiful garden full of flowers, vegetables, and raspberries.  She said she loved to work in the dirt. In 2008 she moved into Brentwood Retirement Home and kept a garden of flowers and potatoes grown in pots on the deck on the 14th story of her apartment.

 

Peggy was an excellent cook, home-style recipes including baked bread. Family, friends and relatives were always welcome for Sunday and holiday dinners.

 

Peggy loved her children and grandchildren and her brothers and sisters and they in kind loved her back.  She and they would travel to see each other and to stay in touch to show the love they shared. 

 

After husband Carl passed away in 1979, her brother, Phil Selinger and wife Della and her sister Anna Iwaskow and husband Zennith made sure Peggy was included in the many events, trips, and activities that they were involved in.  Phil took the responsibility of maintaining and renovating Peggy’s house for years and Anna was always there to ensure Peggy’s needs were taken care of. They were a blessing to her.

 

Peggy was a joy. She was very social.  She loved to laugh, sing, dance and tell jokes. The manager at Brentwood Retirement Home where she lived after 2008 reported that whenever music was played for the entertainment of the residents, Peggy would compel a resident or facility manager to get up and dance with her, even into her 102nd year.  At family dinners, she would tell a joke, recite a poem, or often sing a song for every one’s enjoyment.

 

Peggy wrote a book of short stories about her life growing up on the family homestead in Saskatchewan and shared it with family.  She titled it “Ploughing Through My Memories”. She was very proud of her accomplishment.

 

She joined the Second Sixties Hiking Club in Calgary in 1982 and was a member of that club for 37 years.  At age 99 she was recognized by the club as being the oldest hiking club member in the City of Calgary.

 

She attended Northminster United Church in Calgary, and she attended monthly lunches in the Highland Park community hall to stay in touch with neighbors in the community where she had owned her house.

 

Peggy was an avid sports fan and loved watching all sports on TV.  It didn’t matter what sport was playing if someone was competing. She would get so involved that if her Flames or Stampeders were losing, she would have to turn the TV off.

 

Peggy is survived by her family of four generations: three children and their spouses, Raymond Nattrass (Regina), Delbert Nattrass (Marcia) and Sheryl Weberg (Glen); six grandchildren, Bryan Nattrass, Veronica Bedea, Kathy Bedea, Shawn Bedea, Jessie Nattrass and Sarah Odette; seven great-grandchildren, Christopher, Loralee, Reyhan, Brandon, Dale, Jessica and Serenity; and two great-great-grandchildren, Stephen and Euan. Peggy is also survived by her brothers, Frank and Phil (Della); and sisters, Barbara (Tony) and Anna, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

 

Peggy was predeceased by her loving husband Carl Nattrass; her parents, Philip and Ann Selinger; and brothers, George, Leo, Mike, Wilfred, Eugene, Edward, and Tony. Peggy will be laid to rest at Queen’s Park Cemetery. Details of memorial will be posted when plans are in place. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

 

In living memory of Peggy Nattrass, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.

 

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