Margaret Jean "Peggy" Sanderson
May 22, 1949 – August 17, 2026
With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Peggy.
Peggy was raised on the Frohman farm on Tuscarora Road, graduated from Hamilton Teachers College in 1969, and taught at Six Nations and other reserves for 35 years, ending her career as Vice Principal at JC Hill Elementary School in 2004. Teaching was her passion and her joy, and she inspired generations of students to become their best selves.
Outside the classroom, she was equally devoted to her family. Peggy was a pillar of strength: she leaves behind her best friend and husband of 52 years, Rick, her sons Marc (Aimee) and Ian, her grandchildren Evangeline and Henry, her sisters Susan and Ann, and her nephews Rick (Jennie), Eric (Michelle), and Joel (Vanessa). She is also survived by many cousins, colleagues, and cherished friends. Peggy is predeceased by her parents Elam and Ruby Frohman, brother Jack, sister Carole, brothers-in-law Roland and Don, and her nephew Dwayne (Andrea).
Peggy loved to travel, play Scrabble, and take care of our family, who ranged far and wide, from California to Colorado, Ohsweken to Ottawa.
We will always remember Peggy's laughter, and her quiet concern for the people she loved. She was tender but fierce, resilient, and caring. She had a gift for small, thoughtful gestures — a properly buttered piece of toast (all the way to the edge, of course), warm lemon water with honey when you were unwell, a bouquet sent just because you needed cheering up. She spoke about how neat it would be to open a breakfast diner called "To the Edge”, and got a kick out of the idea of a pub called "The Furry Pig."
Peggy was a wonderful travel companion, always planning the next adventure — from afternoons on the penny slot machines to trips that took her family far and wide. Generous and compassionate, she took care of the people around her and made sure there was a lot of fun along the way.
A Service of Remembrance will take place at Ohsweken Baptist Church on Wednesday, August 26 at 2:00pm, with a Reception to follow at JC Hill Elementary School from 3:30-6:00pm. All friends and family are warmly welcomed at both gatherings, to celebrate Peggy.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Myeloma Canada or Hospice Care Ottawa would be gratefully appreciated.
Condolences
Posted by
Laura Hill
on
Aug 23rd, 2026
Sincere condolences to Peggy’s family.
I always knew her as Ms. Sanderson — my favourite elementary school teacher. She taught me in grade 2, and was a joy to learn from. I remember her wonderful music lessons, and that she wore these black shiny shoes with charms on them, and she’d let me check out the charms when we were on the floor learning her songs! A small memory but it just sticks in my mind when I think about how welcoming and comfortable her class was. She always had such small and big ways of bringing joy to her students. I will never forget all the holidays she made special and how kind she was to me. She’d even ask my mom how I was doing when she saw her around Ohsweken once I was grown. I’m so sorry to your family for this loss. She was a special person.
Posted by
Carol (Wright) Birnie
on
Aug 23rd, 2026
So sorry to hear of Peggy’s passing away. I remember her from high school and what I remember most was her smile and her laugh . Condolences to her family.
Posted by
Bernie Boyd
on
Aug 23rd, 2026
So sorry for each of you who are mourning Peggy Sanderson. Although I never had the privilege of meeting her she sounds like a beautiful well-loved lady. Praying each of you will know the peace and comfort that I am sure she will want you to have
Love
Aunt Bernie
Posted by
Tim & Bonnie Hill
on
Aug 23rd, 2026
I am so sorry to hear of Peggy's passing. She was my grade 7 homeroom teacher.I loved her smile and that wonderful laugh.We extend our prayers and condolences to the family.
Posted by
Darlene Maracle
on
Aug 24th, 2026
Peggy was an amazing teacher! My son had her as a teacher and i remember she always took her time with him.
RIP lovely lady!
Posted by
Lori Harris
on
Aug 24th, 2026
Condolences to Mrs. Sanderson's family. I'll always remember her as my music teacher with her pitch pipe. Me,me,me Thank you for the love of music that I carried into adulthood. ~ Lori Martin Harris
Posted by
Anne (Doughty) McMillan
on
Aug 24th, 2026
Peggy and I were friends at Hagersville High School and shared a common love of music.She was always very particular about her appearance and dressed impeccably. Imagine her consternation when her Grade 13 chemistry partner carelessly lit a Bunsen burner and singed her hair! Thankfully she was not injured, probably due to the very quick action of our wonderful teacher, Don Hill. Sadly, we lost touch with each other after secondary school, especially since we both became elementary teachers who taught music. My condolences to Peggy’s family. May she rest in peace.
Posted by
Pamela Lennips (Porter)
on
Aug 24th, 2026
So sorry to hear of Peggy's passing.
Posted by
Melanie Burning
on
Aug 25th, 2026
Peggy was my dear friend since we worked together at J C Hill School. She was such a good, kind and caring person. She was the ultimate host. When you went to her home you couldn’t help but notice her attention to detail. She made a little tea and dessert date so memorable because she warmed up the butter tart and added whipped cream. She did truly care about her family and friends and wanted everyone to feel how special they were to her. She never let my birthday, mother”s day or Christmas pass without sending me a message. She did send me flowers “out of the blue” just because. She was an amazing, beautiful woman with the best laugh. I will miss her forever and I am comforted by the fact that she had a life well lived and she can rest peacefully now. My condolences to Rick, Marc, Ian and the rest of the family.
Posted by
Rebecca Jamieson
on
Aug 25th, 2026
Peggy was a respected educator and colleague who truly cared for her students. She set an example for others and will be fondly remembered. Sincere condolences to Rick and the family and all who knew and loved Peggy.
Posted by
John Moses
on
Aug 25th, 2026
To Peggy's family, please accept these our condolences from here in Ottawa, including mother Helen Monture Moses, Jim Moses, John Moses, Quinn Moses and Denise Corbett.
Posted by
Joe and Aisha Restoule General
on
Aug 25th, 2026
Peggy was a very positive guiding light to me in my early teaching career. Her encouragement really set me on the right path to supporting ALL students. I'm very grateful for her dedication to education and the model she set for the future educators who learned from her. Our condolences to Rick and all who were fortunate to know and love Peggy.
Posted by
Hilary Mt Pleasant
on
Aug 25th, 2026
Sending our condolences to you n your family at this time . I only met her once in my life n she was kind caring person ...rest in peace.
Posted by
Wendy Dow
on
Aug 25th, 2026
Sincere condolences to Rick and all members of her family and friends.
She was an inspiration to all her students and colleagues.
Rest in Peace
Posted by
Terry L General & family
on
Aug 25th, 2026
Sincere condolences to Rick, Marc, Ian, Ann, Susan, their families and close friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Posted by
Auidrey
on
Aug 27th, 2026
My deepest sympathy to Rick and Peggy's family and friends. I cherished my colleague and friend. I will remember her sense of humour and laughter. She modelled her values and showed everyone respect. Peggy was a warm loving person who I will miss.
Posted by
Luanne Martin
on
Aug 28th, 2026
Peggy was my supply teacher in grade 7 at Central School in Ohsweken and she put up well with the class shenanigans during what was one of her first teaching assignments. It was as my associate teacher and then my colleague during my first years as a teacher at Jamieson Elementary that she inspired me to be a caring and compassionate teacher. She became a close friend. She even took me to Wonderland so I could go on the coasters with her son Marc, who was maybe 12 at the time! As life moved on, I missed her wit and steady influence. My sincere condolences are sent to Peggy's devoted husband Rick, her sons and her lovely Froman sisters. Rest in Peace Peggy.
Posted by
Carla Miller
on
Aug 30th, 2026
Sincere condolences, I did not hear of
Peggy’s passing until today. We attended
Sunday School and bible school together
when we were kids. She always had
a smile when I happened to see her.
Rest easy my friend.
Posted by
Pastor Butch
on
Aug 31st, 2026
Our condolences and prayers to the family on behalf of the Medina Baptist Church family
