Obituary of Marjorie Belle (Crane) Peckham, New Waterford

It is with great sadness in our hearts to announce that our dear mother passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2020 peacefully while at the Palliative Care Unit, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, at the age of 94. Marjorie was a daughter of the late Stephen and Elizabeth (Fowler) Crane of Bell Island, Newfoundland/Labrador. Having finished her schooling, Mom worked as a Telephone Operator. At the age of 18, fate stepped in and changed the course of her life. While visiting her aunt residing in New Waterford, N.S., she met and later married our father, Gordon Peckham, who was also from Bell Island, Newfoundland/Labrador. Per chance, he had arrived in New Waterford seeking a job in #16 Coal Mine. Mom is survived by her loving husband of 72 years, Gordon; sister, Shirley Corbett; children, Wayne (Linda) Peckham, Lorraine (Keith) Paddick, Jean Grace, Joan (Ford) Morey, Blair (Donna) Peckham, Donald (Debbie) Peckham; 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her loving brothers, Hubert, Clarence and her sister, Doris. Living a happy and fulfilled life, she volunteered and was involved in activities with the Salvation Army Church: Home League, the Combined Christmas Giving and Ageing Gracefully, where she developed many close friends who she truly loved and enjoyed. Hobbies included reading, ceramics and knitting. As she would say, "kept her hands busy" and let's not forget Mom liked watching her Soaps every afternoon. For more than 60 years, she enjoyed her summers at their cabin on the Mira surrounded by her family and friends; there was always a cup of tea and an invitation to stay and talk. She will be dearly missed by all. Many thanks to the Palliative Care team, VON, and the Cape Breton Regional Hospital staff. Cremation has taken place. A private funeral service will be held in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home Chapel, New Waterford, with Majors Rocky and Janice Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Haven Memorial Gardens, Sydney. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Circle of Care Campaign-Hospice Cape Breton (https://hospicecapebreton.org). Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca.