Peggy F. Bennett

It is with great sadness, but with gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of our mother, Peggy Franklin Bennett, in Red Deer, Alberta on July 31, age 98. Peg was born in St. John's, Newfoundland on December 5, 1916, the youngest of three daughters, to Florence Knowling (née Ayre) and George Knowling. She was educated at Bishop Spencer College, St. John’s and trained in England as a milliner, afterwards owning and operating a hat making business "PegTops" in St John’s. She married Dr. Raymond E. Bennett in 1940 and they had three children, John, Diana and Garth. Peg was blessed with a circle of great friends throughout her life and an artistic talent which she worked to improve upon over many years. She loved to work in many mediums from watercolours to acrylics and oils, and from portraiture, to realism and abstracts. She became a well known artist with her paintings today in public collections throughout the province and hanging in homes across Canada and beyond. Peg moved to Red Deer, Alberta in 2009 at age 92 to be close to her daughter Diana and family. She was predeceased by sisters, Elizabeth (Mac) Baird and Jean (Robert) Reid; husband Ray in 1959; son John (June) in 2009; son-in-law Jack Currie in 2014; and best friend since kindergarten,Joan (Hickman) Herder, St. John's, in 2015. She is survived by daughter Diana Currie (Jack) Red Deer; son Garth (Margaret-Anne), Halifax; former daughter-in-law, Ruth Bennett; and daughter-in-law, June Bennett and family, St. John's. Her passing is also mourned by grandchildren Stephanie Wells (Chas), Squamish, BC; Raechel Bennett (Jason Payne), Dartmouth, NS; Natasha Smith (Kevin), Calgary; Raymond Bennett, St. John’s; Jennifer Dennis (Derek), Red Deer; and Gillian Currie (Peter Berridge), Calgary. Peg delighted in her growing family which, in recent years, included great grandchildren, Morrgan, Christian and Izaac Payne; Derik and Martin Wells; Connor and Lily Smith; Ryder Dennis; and Lukus Berridge. Mother was a long time active member of St Thomas' Anglican Church in St John's, serving on committees which reflected her commitment to a life of compassion while enjoying all that life has to offer.

Cremation has taken place with a family service held in Red Deer. Peg will be interred next to her husband in The Anglican Cemetery, Forest Rd, St. John’s at a later date. Donations, for those that wish, may be made in her memory to a charity of your choosing. Condolences may be sent to the family at meaningfulmemorials@yahoo.ca