Obituary of Margaret Elizabeth Steele
Margaret Elizabeth “Peggy” Steele passed away peacefully on Friday, June 4, 2021, at Ridgewood Veterans Wing. Born in Saint John, September 4, 1922, she was the third child of Horace A. Porter and Ethel I. (McAvity) Porter.
She is survived by her children: sons Jack and Peter (Trudy): daughters Gillian (John) Wallace, Patricia and Louise. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren: Jack's sons, Bradley and Tim: Peter's daughters, Rebecca and Jessica: Gillian's children, Kate, Jackie and Peter: Patricia's children, BJ and Maggie: as well as being "Super Granny" to ten great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; many loved nieces and nephews; and two special sisters-in-law, Nora and Shirley Steele.
Peggy graduated from Saint John High School in 1939, attended Vocational School in 1940, and took a secretarial course at Modern Business College. She attended Mount Allison University in the fine arts program for one year before enlisting in the RCAF in 1943. Following Wireless School in Montreal, where she trained as a radio-telephone operator, she served as a Leading Aircraft Woman stationed on the west coast of Canada.
In addition to her parents and husband John, she was predeceased by her brothers Tom and John and their wives Mary and Pat.
Peggy married John Steele in 1947 and moved to Rothesay, where they raised their family. Following John's retirement, they spent many wonderful winters in Florida on Daytona Beach Shores, but she was always eager to get back to Rothesay and her gardens. Her love of painting and her artistic bent spilled over into her membership of many years in the Kennebecasis Garden Club, where she won countless ribbons in their annual flower shows.
Peggy was an active member of Saint Paul's Church in Rothesay. She was president of the Altar Guild for so many years that one of the former ministers nicknamed her "Reverend Mother.”
In August 2004, Peggy and John donated twenty-two acres in the centre of Rothesay to the Town to preserve some of the natural forest for all citizens to enjoy. Steele-Kennedy Nature Park was dedicated in memory of John's mother, Ethel (Kennedy) Steele and his uncle Arthur Kennedy.
The Family would like to thank the staff of Ridgewood Veterans Wing for the wonderful care of Mom these past few months.
Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (634-7424). A Funeral Service will take place for the late Margaret “Peggy” Steele on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 11:00 AM from St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 4 Church Street, Rothesay, NB. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. Interment will take place in Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery. If you are considering a donation in Peggy's memory, please give to the Canadian Red Cross or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com
