1925 – 2017

Margaret (“Peggy”) Godsy, welcoming spirit, passed peacefully on July 31st, 2017 as she approached her 92nd birthday.

Born September 25, 1925 in Montreal, QC. to Dennis and Rose O’Brien who married after meeting on the ship which brought them to Canada from Ireland, Peggy was named after the beloved family cow. Peggy was the youngest by many years to 3 elder brothers and one sister and no doubt became the center of everyone’s attention.

Peggy’s childhood was full of love and joy which included her father flooding their backyard in the winters so Peggy could skate and square dance with the trees until her mother’s pleas to come in for the night were heeded. Summers included travelling to the Gaspe to enjoy beach activities. Peggy loved riding the bicycle her father had surprised her with. As a teenager, Peggy learned to ski in the Laurentians, which she loved. Peggy also loved art, reading and played the piano, taking lessons for most of her childhood.

In her early years, Peggy experienced the Great Depression where her family welcomed all passerby’s in for a meal which was the custom of those who were better off and sympathetic to the challenges of others. Her parents were all too familiar with struggle, but had managed to get on solid ground. This deeply human sentiment was passed on in every respect to Peggy who was always a compassionate soul.

After high school, Peggy went to the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Montreal, which at the time was arguably the most prestigious Art school in Canada with a very limited enrolment. There, she further developed her skills as an artist, including being able to replicate the classics painted by the Masters. A classmate was Leonard Cohen.

From there she was hired into the admin department of the Montreal General Hospital, which at the time was the top hospital in Canada. Before long and when she was only 27, she was promoted to head the administration for the medical staff. During this period, Peggy’s zest for life took her to Mexico where she learned Spanish which she spoke well along with French and some Russian.

While working at the hospital, and at the end of the day, she and some friends enjoyed a drink at a bar. There, her husband to be, Jack Godsy, was also having a drink. He had come to Montreal from Edwards Airforce Base in California as a test pilot to fly the first helicopter built in Canada. He had been identified as a gifted pilot by the US Airforce, while also being a WWII war hero. Jack served as a test pilot at Edwards along with Chuck Yeager, the pilot who broke the supersonic barrier.

Peggy would affectionately tell of the pursuit she put Jack to win her over which he did, and then some. In addition to falling in love with Peggy, Jack also fell in love with flying helicopters. After Peggy met Jack’s family of 10 kids who lived on a farm in Missouri, Peggy and Jack eloped to Mountain Home, Arkansas. From there, Jack and Peggy lived at Edwards Airforce Base until Jack began working as a commercial helicopter pilot. Peggy and Jack moved around to many places, including St. John’s, Nfld. where they welcomed their first son Mark. Jack was offered a job at a fledgling helicopter company based in Vancouver, BC, then called Okanagan Helicopters. Jack, Peggy and Mark moved to Vancouver where a second son Grant was born.

Jack was offered the job to set up and run the helicopter base in Kamloops, BC as the company grew, which he happily took .Peggy was less excited, but later fell in love with Kamloops. Kamloops was finally a place for Peggy to set up some roots and become the amazing mother, neighbour, gardener, upholsterer, incredible artistic decorator, cook, and supporter to Jack who was doing everything from installing the huge towers for Hydro’s transmission lines, to helping fight forest fires, and doing game counts for the Government. Life was idyllic with summers at Shuswap Lake, Christmas’s at Helmeken Fall’s and the smell of peanut butter cookies and wonderful dinners amongst a setting of getting school supplies, and making new friends which lasted a lifetime. Jack was so thrilled with the birth of their second son Grant that he surprised Peggy with a soft pink Thunderbird with black and white bucket seats. Peggy would proudly drive her car around Kamloops which was then around 10,000 people and surrounded by ranches, with all the style of an elegant Montreal femme chic with her scarves and lipstick.

Jack and Peggy had decided to try living year round at Little Shuswap Lake at the cabin they had purchased and enjoyed in the summers as a family. Shortly after this move, Peggy’s idyllic life took a turn when her beloved Jack was killed in a non-helicopter-related accident with her sons aged 14 and 9. This began an incredible journey for Peggy who was forced to dig deep and be both everything she was before, and now also the breadwinner. Peggy used her resourcefulness to survive the school year at the lake and then moved back to Kamloops where after a quick refresher office course, she joined the administration of the Mental Health Unit, which she eventually lead.

While raising two boys and making every meal and attending to every household chore, she worked and still found time to garden and be there for her family and friends. It was not unusual for Peggy to be visited by friends seeking advice and counsel. Peggy’s uplifting nature and wisdom was deeply appreciated by those who knew her. Her sense of humour was always lurking and ready to pounce if the occasion arose. Her laughter was warm and part of the incredible sparkle she carried in her heart.

After Peggy retired, she was able to spend more time in the splendour of her garden, reading, which was one of her dearest passions, and helping local concerns such as serving as a trustee to the Kamloops Art Gallery, and judging creative short stories written by students of the then local Cariboo College which is now Thompson Rivers University.

Peggy continued to stay close to her two sons who were her pride and joy visiting them regularly in Vancouver, Shuswap Lake and at Sun Peaks. Peggy also travelled to Ireland and Hawaii with Mark which were wonderful adventures exploring all that was offered and connecting with people as Peggy always did and came home with a few pen pals. Peggy’s trip to Ireland was particularly special as she was able to connect with her Irish roots which included visiting by happen chance the O’Brien’s Clan’s castle which was Peggy’s maiden name. On another occasion, Peggy was waiting on a bench at Trinity College on a sunny afternoon and befriended a young man next to her who turned out to be Ireland’s Prime Minister’s brother. Wherever Peggy went, a magic star seemed to follow.

Peggy loved animals and loved to tell the story about how Jack had brought home a beagle pup in his jacket pocket as a surprise early in their marriage. Peggy had a collection of stray Tom cats over the years who she spoiled unabashedly, and likely more than made up for any injustice that they may have faced in the past. Pets were always welcome into her house anytime and in any weather. Her most recent cat, Simon, who she got from the SPCA, would walk behind her on her treadmill, as well as follow her for walks with Jake, Mark’s beloved dog who she looked after from time to time — both animals matching in their natural black and white fur coats ! These memories are precious and for Peggy, it was just another day. Peggy also loved birds and had a regular procession of crows and other birds who she joyfully fed — they will miss Peggy as well.

Peggy was born no doubt on a sunny day as her intelligent and caring spirit was bright and alive with warmth. Peggy touched all those who knew her — her welcoming and gracious nature was coupled with a wit that danced amongst smiles and laughter that she brought with her everywhere, and has so thoughtfully shared, for all of us to cherish and to be guided by.

Peggy Godsy is survived by her sons: Mark A. Godsy (Isabelle) and J. Grant Godsy; and her many extended relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the SPCA, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the CNIB. A Celebration of Peggy’s life will take place at the Hamlet’s Care Facility in Kamloops, 3255 Overlander Drive on August 26th at 10:30 am.

Condolences may be expressed at www.myalternatives.ca

• Date : 2017-07-31
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.