CRAVEN: Margaret ‘Peggy’ Adabelle (Rowcliffe) of London

Peggy died peacefully at her home in London Ontario, on the morning of March 19, 2022. Born in Clinton Ontario on January 6, 1935 to Ada (Case) Rowcliffe and Elgin Rowcliffe. Peggy was predeceased by her three brothers, Bill, Bob, and Ronald. Generations of the Rowcliffe family were pioneers and farmers in Usborne Township Ontario, where Peggy walked to the one-room Hurondale school and back daily; in winter the snow was at times so deep, the children could reach the telephone wires. Peggy completed grades 12 and 13 at Alma College in St. Thomas; as top of her class at her 1952 graduation, she was presented with the Governor-General’s Gold Medal by Vincent Massey. Peggy then completed teacher training at Normal School in London, later teaching in London and Toronto.

In 1953, Peggy met Geoffrey Craven, then a Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Navy undergoing flight training at RCAF Station Centralia. They were married in Hensall’s United Church on July 9, 1955. As a Navy wife, Peggy lived in Summerside PEI, Dartmouth NS, Victoria BC, Norfolk Virginia, Toronto, Greenwood NS, Newport Rhode Island, and Ottawa. Often alone while Geoff was deployed, Peggy raised four children; Michael and Susan were born in Halifax in 1957 and 1959, Andrew in Victoria in 1962, and Laura in Norfolk in 1965.

Peggy and Geoff started a consulting company in Ottawa in 1988; as Vice-President, Peggy advised on business decisions, managed the office and accounts, and entertained clients. The company prospered and was eventually sold to a larger firm in 2000. Peggy and Geoff then moved to Victoria where Peggy exercised her life-long passion for gardening with her friend Jill Crowe. Next to family, Peggy considered her gardens to be her ultimate achievement.

In 2016 Peggy and Geoff returned to London where Peggy gardened, visited and received visits from her children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins. In 2020 her health declined but she resisted with grace and courage. Predeceased by her daughter Susan in 2016, Peggy is survived by her husband Geoffrey, sons Michael (Catherine) and Andrew (Janine), daughter Laura, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family is very grateful to Chery and Rowena for their gentle care during Peggy’s last months. Interment will take place in the Exeter Cemetery later in 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.