May 1, 2022
It is with profound sadness that our family announces the peaceful passing of Margaret (Peggy) Pontus on May 1, 2022. A kind and gentle spirit, she will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 45 years Michael; her sister Mary Lamey; children Jenny (Peter) and Emily (Sean); grandchildren Olivia, Gareth, Hayden and Alexa; and her many friends and relatives. Peggy is predeceased by her brother William (Bill) and her parents (Jane and William Muldoon).
Peggy grew up in the village of Danville Quebec in a busy and loving household. She was most at home being outdoors and would recall adventuring with her kind sister Mary, gentle brother Bill and childhood and lifelong friends, Lucy and Stella, until there was barely light to make it home. On more than one occasion she brought home a stray cat or animal in distress so that she could ensure it was safe. Helping animals, as well as people, was important to Peggy, and she naturally found her calling in teaching. After finishing her studies in Chapeau Quebec, with further studies at the University of Ottawa and UBC, she taught elementary school for 17 years across Canada in Sherbrook, Ottawa, Aylmer, Terrace, Chilliwack, Kitimat, Prince George, Vancouver and Yellowknife.
Peggy's dear teaching friend Maureen, a member of the wonderful and enduring Terrace Frontier Apostolate Gang (Angela, Bernie, Carolyn, Cathy, Mary, and Maureen), introduced her to Michael in 1971 and they were married in August 1976. Within a week of being married, they moved to Yellowknife and she began teaching at St. Patrick's School. In 1978, she left teaching to be a full-time dedicated mother to her two daughters. Over the years, she would often be stopped by former students and parents who wanted to say, "thank you" and tell her much they missed her as a teacher, and without fail, she always remembered their names. She genuinely cared about her students, and she valued the wonderful friendships that she formed with her teaching colleagues.
Peggy and Michael had intended to move to Yellowknife for 2 years, but they remained for 13 years after finding great happiness in the friendships they made with other young families who also loved the outdoors. Peggy was always keen to pack up the canoe, her fishing rod and some sandwiches for a day on the lake, play slow pitch in the midnight sun, or put on her cross-country skis and take to the lake for a loop, even when the weather dipped below -30 degrees. Even though she had travelled internationally she revelled in the family's many journeys back and forth across Canada that took her to every province and territory.
In 1989 Peggy and Michael moved to Comox, so Michael could take a position at St. Joseph's Hospital. Peggy passionately supported her daughters and husband in their pursuits. Here she was able to reconnect with her love of creating art. She was a talented painter, sewer, quilter, calligrapher, photographer and stained-glass maker, who would quietly put up her new pieces of art throughout our home without any fan fare or boasting. The joy of creating the art with her groups of friends was as important to her as the pieces she created. Her loss of hearing, led her to the Hard of Hearing Group, whose members she supported and enjoyed. Peggy's battle with breast cancer in 2005 led her to the Comox Valley Cancer Support Group where she also made many friends.
Peggy will be greatly missed as a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother who gave the tightest and warmest hugs, and made the very best spaghetti. Hayden, Alexa, Olivia and Gareth knew that they could always bring her a book to read them, or that she would make time to chat with them one on one about their day. Although gentle and quiet in appearance, Peggy would often surprise her family with her witty comments, and catch them off guard with her strong opinions on the Canuck's starting line up.
Peggy's faith, quiet strength and great compassion will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We know that God has called her home, and we will cherish the memory of her beautiful life.
Our family would like to thank; the members of the Parish of Christ the King wherein she worshipped; Dr. Matous, her dedicated family doctor and the physicians, and staff of both the former St. Joseph's Hospital and the current Comox Valley Hospital from which she received compassionate care and wonderful treatment over the years.
Peggy's family invites friends and family to join them for a Mass of Christian Burial on Friday May 13th at 1pm at Christ the King Catholic Parish -1599 Tunner Drive, Courtenay, BC.
For those wishing to honor Peggy's memory, with a donation in her name, consideration of the BC Cancer Agency would be appreciated.