Peggy Stevens was a much respected and loved Healesvillian.
Born: 5 October 1914
Died: 5 March 2009
PEGGY Stevens was born in Healesville just months into the “war that would end all wars”.
It was a time of change and challenge as was to be the entire journey of her 94 years growing up and living a full and fulfilling life in the town she loved.
Born on 5 October 1914, Peggy was the only child of Sybil Taylor.
In a moving tribute to his grandmother, Wayne Postlethwaite spoke of the qualities that came of growing up through the Depression, of living a simple life where family always came first and friendships were for life.
He spoke of the many social and technological changes – from horse and cart to jet planes, telephone boxes on the corner to mobile phones and dressing up to go down the street, not dressing down to go to the shopping centre; when street conversation was polite and bad language was kept to the pub bar.
Amid the changing times he said his grandmother and her peers kept their dignity, honesty, integrity, modesty and humility.
His nan, he said, was of a generation of hard workers, Aussie battlers and survivors who displayed resilience, doggedness and “stickability” in the harsh conditions they were presented with.
“Nan was one of those people. Her life was not easy, it was not a bed of roses, it was often difficult, filled with the daily challenges of bringing up a family of eight,” he said.
“I can remember her doing the weekly washing in the copper at granny Taylor’s old house,” he recalled. “It was a day’s work; no automatic machine with a spin dryer just an old hand ringer and wire strung up between two poles with a prop to hang the clothes on.
“I can remember her walking all the way into the town to do her shopping and then walking all the way home again.”
Peggy was philosophical about hardships and found enjoyment in her family and friends. She had had, she told her family, a good life and a happy life.
She loved music, knitting and croquet, gardening and having a bet on the races. She was a popular member of the Senior Citizens Club. She loved cooking and had a well-earned reputation as a good cook. She was always ready to help others, but shied away from accepting what she saw as charity for herself.
Mr Postlethwaite described his grandmother as practical, straightforward and down to earth.
“You always knew where you stood with her,” he said.
Peggy was a much-loved and respected senior citizen of Healesville, a loving and much-loved mother and grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother.
As part of the fabric of Healesville for more than nine decades, Peggy Stevens will be greatly missed.
She is survived by Peggy, Sybil, Louise, Arthur, Peter, Dennis and Craig. Her second child Charlie died in 2006.
