Friday, April 28, 2006
Dear Jenny, Jo and family, I very much wanted to join you on this occasion. Aunt Peggy was my favorite Aunt. She was like a second mother to me. Whenever I think of Toronto, I think of Peggy. And Christmas always brings thoughts of her. She created a wonderland, with angel hair around the tree lights. Every year she made a fruitcake -- but not just any fruitcake. The top was covered with marzipan, and on that marzipan, she created a snow scene with powdered sugar snow, little silver balls, and eskimos. That is what started my love for marzipan. And I loved the mince meat tarts she made. And the Yorkshire pudding. Aunt Peggy made things seem normal to me in a crazy world. She gave me my first real purse when I was a teenager. She gave me my first pearl earrings when we three cousins got our ears pierced. I looked up to Peggy's daughters -- to me, they were like sisters. I discovered Koala bears, because Peggy had a "Billy Bluegum" that sat on the bed. Her book collection introduced me to Agatha Christie mysteries. One summer I helped her with billing Dr. Gillespie's patients. That was where I learned how to put on stamps when you have a large number of envelopes. I still put stamps on that way when I send out my Christmas cards. I liked her distinctive English handwriting and loved receiving cards from her. She always sent a little warm message in the cards. All my memories of Peggy are fond ones. She certainly made a difference in my life. Warm wishes, Sue
