Obituary of Margaret "Peggy" Stewart

Margaret “Peggy” Stewart (Hughes). January 28, 1927 – July 6, 2025.

The family of Peggy Stewart is saddened to announce her passing at the age of 98 at the Shiretown Nursing Home in Pictou.

Born in Thorburn, Peggy was the daughter of the late Edward and Isabella (Gibson) Hughes. Trained as a nurse, Peggy left the profession before graduating, after meeting –and ultimately marrying– Robert (Bob) Stewart from Cape Breton, N.S.

Together, Peggy and Bob were entrepreneurial spirits, raising four children while establishing and running several businesses in the Westville area: Stewart’s White Rose/Shell on the Westville Highway, and Peggy’s Lunch, a diner that opened later and completed the one stop concept.  It was always said the business was located just far enough away from Cape Breton that you had to stop for fuel and a cup of tea. As Nova Scotia continued to develop and the TransCanada Highway came to the area, Peggy and Bob opened the Dairy Burger on South Main Street in Westville.

An active member of the community, Peggy was a long-time member of Saint Paul’s United Church, the Rebekahs, Pythian Sisters, and Westville Heritage Club and was a familiar face at local card parties for many years. Peggy enjoyed being creative and was well-known for her knitting, crochet, stained glass, cookies and pies.

She always looked forward to hosting family and friends for the annual Canada Day parade and barbecue at her house, and her fridge and walls boasted photos of her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who she loved to cuddle whenever they came to visit.

Peggy is survived by daughter Gail Stewart-Rundle of Westville, and sons Robert “Bob” (Lynne) of Lower Sackville, Edward “Eddie” (Karen) of Westville, and John (Gwen) of Cole Harbour. She is also survived and remembered fondly by her nine grandchildren, Sheila, Robbie, Todd, Melinda, Ian, Robert, Erin, Victoria and Kathleen, sixteen great-grandchildren Sean, Candace, Ethan, Eliza, Nathan, Jared, Reese, Ben, Lauchie, Brady, Isabel, Madeline, Lily, Angus, Piper, and Elsie and four great-great grandchildren Tucker, Easton, Adeline, and Benjamin.

She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Isabella Hughes, husband of 29 years Bob Stewart, brothers Edward, William and Harry Hughes and sisters Agnes MacLean and Sally Mason.

The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to Peggy’s long-time neighbours, Kathy and Sam Graham, who were always an enormous help and wonderful support. Gratitude is also extended to the homecare staff who helped Peggy remain in her home as long as she did, and to the staff at the Aberdeen Hospital and Shiretown Nursing Home for their care and kindness.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 11^th from 2–4 p.m. and from 6–8 p.m. at the Eagles Funeral Home, 1611 N Main St., Westville. Funeral service will take place on Saturday, July 12th at 2 p.m. at the Eagles Funeral Home, with Rev. Mary Taylor officiating. Burial will be in the Heatherdale Memorial Cemetery.

Family flowers only please. Donations in Peggy’s memory may be made to the Palliative Care Society or to the Canadian Cancer Society or charity of your choice. 

Online condolences may be sent to Eagles Funeral Home.