Marguerite Edith (Garrett) Chalu

Marguerite (Peggy) Edith Chalu, formerly Garrett, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on March 23, 2018 at Red Deer Regional Hospital. Peggy was born April 6, 1919 in Winnipeg and graduated Nursing from Winnipeg General Hospital in 1942. That same year Peggy married Alfred Alexander Garrett, who was leaving for overseas. During the four years Alex served, Peggy took postgraduate training and employment at the Neurological Institute in Montreal.

Alex and Peggy briefly relocated to Calgary, Alberta where she was responsible for the implementation of the first school for Nursing Aides. They moved back to Manitoba and raised three children. There she remained active in Nursing Alumnae, Figure Skating Club, Shrine Ladies Auxiliary, the Heart Fund, Red Cross and Cancer Fund.

After moving to Red Deer, Alberta in1963, Peggy worked in various positions at the Red Deer General Hospital, including Night Supervisor, Relief Assistant Director of Nursing and Clinical Instructor. She was Assistant Director of Nursing, and eventually Director of Nursing, at Michener Center until her retirement in 1983.

Peggy was President of the Red Deer Chapter of the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses. During this time she served as Master of Ceremonies for one national, and two provincial, AARN Nursing Conventions. In 1980, Peggy was nominated by the AARN for the Alberta Nurse of the Year Award; in 1982 the AARN presented Peggy with the Heritage of Service Award; and in 1984 MLA, Jim MacPherson appointed her to the Senior Citizens Advisory Council. Peggy was also involved with the establishment of the Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter.

After Alex’s death in 1989, Peggy married Acton Chalu in 1990 and relocated to St. Petersburg Beach, Florida, during the winters in retirement until Acton’s passing in 2005.

Peggy is survived by her children Jocelyn Neis (George), Gordon Garrett (Maura), and Guy Garrett (Michelle). She is sadly missed by her grandchildren Reagan (Tommy), Kristin (Jaret), Braedan, Madison, Brooklyn and Johannah and great grandson Chase; and Acton’s children Wayne (Cindy), Carol and Lauren (Jimmy). Peggy was pre-deceased by her oldest son who died in infancy.

A funeral service and celebration of life will be held on April 27, 2018 at 1:00pm, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 4718 Ross Street, Red Deer, officiated by Reverend Wayne Reid. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Red Deer Lending Cupboard, 5406 43rd St. Red Deer AB, T4N1C9 or the Shriners Children’s Hospital, shrinersinternational.org

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