NOAKES, Margaret (Peggy) Free (nee Crothers)
June 20, 1925 – Kingston, ON April 5, 2017 – Calgary, AB
Margaret Noakes, beloved wife of Dr. John ( Jack) Noakes, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 5, 2017 after courageous battles with cancer, surrounded by her family. Margaret (Peggy) is greatly missed by her husband Jack and their children, Anne Love, Douglas (Pat Smith), Jamie (Cathy), Jane Keyser (Eric) and Mary (Hans Kumbruch); twelve grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. Peggy grew up in Kingston. On her father’s side, in Kingston, the Crothers had a biscuit and candy factory, and the Bajus, a brewery. Her mother’s family, the Frees, have a Century Farm near Campbellford, ON that produced seeds and maple syrup. Visits to the family farm and flying from the Kingston Flying Club with Uncle Harry Free were fond memories. Peggy was a Farmerette in WWII, serving her country on the farm, which replaced the labour of men lost to military service. Peggy was passionate about education and carried a fierce pride and loyalty for Kingston and Queen’s University. Peggy’s mother, Molly, graduated in 1914 and she followed, graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing Science in 1947. While at Queen’s, Peggy was an enthusiastic member of the swim team and the sailing club. Peggy married Queens graduate Jack Noakes in 1948. After a year in Ottawa where she worked as a Public Health Nurse, they moved to Calgary and established their family home in Elbow Park where they lived for 63 years. Peggy hosted gatherings for family and friend’s right up until she and Jack lost their house in the flood of 2013. Their indoor greenhouse was a special part of the house where she kept her orchid collection. Peggy was an avid gardener, building beautiful vegetable, fruit and flower gardens in Calgary, at the farm, and Shuswap with her family. She loved being outdoors. Peggy loved to travel with Jack, visiting family and exploring other countries. Together they saw a good portion of the world including Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and the U.S.A. Peggy was a very active volunteer in her community. She was a Girl Guide leader and Area Commissioner and was instrumental in creating the Girl Guides of Canada Mockingbird camp on the Waiparous. She was a long-time member of the Junior League and the Calgary Federation of University Women. As well, Peggy was an active member of many organizations including the Alberta Handicraft Guild, Calgary Field Naturalists, Kingston Historical Society, Orchid Society, and the Calgary Horticultural Society. Peggy’s love for life, desire for life-long learning, keen awareness of the environment and generosity for her community and family will always be remembered. Memorial Services will be held at Knox United Church (506 - 4th Street S.W.) on Wednesday, April 19 at 2:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Margaret Noakes, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.