PEGGY IRENE TUME (HARRIS)

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PEGGY IRENE TUME (nee HARRIS) Peggy Tume was born April 21, 1930 on her grandmother's estate - known as Blake Hall Lodge, Bobbingworth, Essex, England. Even though she was a classy lady, fifth child of 10 children, her father, born on the opposite side of the tracks, kept her humble. Her father a well-known musician, taught the children to play an instrument. The instrument chosen for Peggy was the Double Bass. An instrument larger that she was. Unfortunately, she did not take up the instrument professionally. At the age of nine years old the Second World War was declared and at the age of 13 Peggy decided she wanted to serve King and Country so she quit school to join the nursing program at her home town hospital as a student nurse. At that time the war was encroaching on England and bombing of London was in progress. One morning she arrived at the hospital for her shift only to discover that the hospital had been badly damaged by the bombings. Triage had been moved into the farmer's field. She rushed over to see how she could help and the matron informed her that she could help by sitting and comforting the dying soldiers, civilians and POWs. Many of them were just children not much older than she was. Very emotional on her. When she was 15 years old the war had ended and the regular nurses were returning to their old jobs so Peggy decided she wanted to be a Pharmacist because of the medical experience she had received. At that stage in her life her current boyfriend had introduced her to her now love of motorcycles. Alas the boyfriend was not to be her husband. In 1949 a young Air Force man entered the pharmacy she worked in asking for cotton wool. Peggy misunderstanding the intended use of cotton wool went to fetch a large batton of cotton wool. The fellow laughed and told her he had an ear ache. Later, after the pharmacy closed, this young man decided to get on her bus and follow her home. Romance was established and in 1950 Peggy and Jim were married. Over the next 65 years the couple had three wonderful children in three different countries and both enjoyed travelling the world with family. In her later years, Peggy would volunteer anywhere needed - home care, sick and hospital visiting. She helped out at the Dryden Drop-in Centre for the lunch crowd. She was an active Legion and Woman's Institute Member. Peggy was also a very crafty lady making and selling her knitted stuffed animals, etc. At Easter time she would make little knitted chicks and rabbits and distribute them to the patients at the Dryden Hospital. The last few years of her life she looked forward to being Mrs. Claus at the children's Christmas party and she will sadly miss her Santa. On February 11, 2019, Peggy joined the heavenly party with her husband James, father Sidney, mother Ivy, brothers, Gerald, Cecil and Tony, and sisters, Gwen, Sheila, Dorothy, Brenda and Vera. Peggy is survived by her sister Alma, daughters, Yvonne and Odette, son Vincent, and granddaughters, Caroline and Madeleine. Peggy will be sadly missed by everyone touched by her kindness. The family thanks the staff, volunteers and entertainers for the wonderful care she has received at Golden West Centennial Lodge.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 16, 2019