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Peggy Smith
Painter
England
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Peggy Eileen Austin was born in Caterham England on March 24, 1920, one of 4 children. She married Colin Smith in 1942 and they had 3 children, Toni, Michael and Christopher.
Peggy came to Canada with the children in 1954, setting first in Toronto and then moving with Colin to West Vancouver in 1956. She was a full time homemaker until the early 1960's, when she began working as a part time receptionist for L.S.A. (Boots) Boothroyd. In 1967, she began a career as a travel agent for "Where to Go Travel", booking vacation charters. This opened up the world of travel to Peggy and she worked with Don Renshaw until she was in her 70's, finally retiring to concentrate on her painting and to enjoy more time off. She and Don traveled for over 30 years, visiting over 50 countries all over the world.
Peggy became accomplished painter and her paintings of flowers and Capilano Canyon were particularly popular. She painted on location for the sheer joy of painting and could be seen around the North Shore. particularly in the Canyon with her paints and Easel.
She had numerous shows at local galleries and was represented by Rendezvouz Gallery in Vancouver and by Wall Street Gallery in West Vancouver.
Collectors as far away as Taiwan, Europe, UK, Eastern Canada and USA purchased her paintings.
She was a long time member of the West Vancouver Sketch Club and exhibited in all their juried shows, as well as participating every year in the Harmony Arts Festival. Peggy also volunteered at the Gallery of the West Vancouver Library for many years.
Peggy loved sunshine and fresh air and enjoyed playing Tennis, golf and walking on the seawall, until her illness made that impossible. She was proud of 6 grandchildren, Sarah, Chris, Tina, Greg, Sydney and Manda and adored her young great-grandson James.
Peggy was diagnosed with ALS in 1999. She passed away peacefully in the early hours of March 18, 2002.
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