Obituary of Peggy Jane Dummett

Peggy Jane Dummett (nee Plautz)
November 11, 1935 ~ April 28, 2026

Peggy Jane Plautz was born on November 11, 1935, in Keephills, Alberta to Albert and Lillie Plautz (nee Wright). She, like her sister Mary before her, and three more sisters after her, was born at home, with the help of neighboring friends with little nursing knowledge. Despite this, everything turned out ok. In 1936, mom and dad moved from the huge Hearn house to a small log house, near our father’s homestead.

She enjoyed life there, with her four sisters and one brother Albert, until 1949, when Dad sold the homestead and we moved into the hamlet of Keephills, where we were close to the school and general store.
Peggy quit school early and went to Fleet to help her aunt, Myrtle Elliott, who had a new son. Peggy was always the first to volunteer to help anyone in need; when she was about fourteen years old, she helped a neighboring family in which the mother had dropsy. Our father never owned a car or motorized vehicle (not even a tractor) so Peggy would walk the two miles to help the family. After helping her aunt, she got a job at the Coronation Hotel. She probably met Franklin in the hotel having his coffee break! Anyway, they met, courted and were married in Duffield, Alberta, on November 16, 1953, and settled down to life on the farm in Coronation.

Peggy always said that farming was the pits! After a few bad years on the farm, they moved into the town of Coronation with their two sons Bill and Brian, born in ‘54 and ‘57. Soon Brenda completed the family in ‘58. Looking for ‘greener pastures’, with the help of brother-in-law Don Nicolson they moved to Fort St. John, B.C., where he had a job waiting. There she lived near her sister Dolly Nicolson and family, she was also much closer to two of her sisters, Mary and Ada who lived in Prince George. While in B.C., she took in three year old David Harnaha who became a member of the family and lived with them for three years; he was a joy to her mothering instincts. He remains family to this day. After her children were grown up and on their own, she got a job in the care home. What a perfect job for her! Now she could nurture and care ‘to her heart’s content’ and get paid for it!

While living in Fort St. John in 1982, Peggy was hit by a speeding car while crossing the street in a crosswalk. That ended her care-home work!! Even after many operations, she was never able to walk without a slight limp. The effects of this accident were with her to the end. We will never know just how much she suffered over the years.

When Franklin retired from his job after twenty years in Fort St John, he was bored, so they bought a big house in Drayton Valley where Frank worked for his brother-in-law Bob Mayhew at the G.M Dealership. Now she lived near another sister, Lilly. In Drayton Valley, Peggy found a new way to add more children to her family by running a pre-school. She looked after three girls of varying ages. Franklin had to keep a damper on that operation; she always wanted more children.

Another stint back in Fort St. John, where their son Bill, his wife Karen and their two sons, Byron and Bradley were living, ended his travelling years when they made the final move back to Coronation. There they took an active part in the community, becoming members of the senior club and participating in floor curling, etc. They also spent a few winters in Osoyoos, B.C, where they owned a condo.

Peggy was happy to be near her son Brian and his children Ryan, Corey and Jennifer; daughter Brenda (Don) and their children Becara, Larrissa and Amber. She loved all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and needed to be a part of their lives. She was willing to listen and give advice whenever needed, maybe even when not needed!

Peggy leaves to mourn her passing: Bill (Karen) Dummett, Brian Dummett and Brenda Gregor (Don Johnson); grandchildren: Byron (Kirsten) Dummett, Bradley (Lindsey) Dummett, Corey (Kayla) Dummett, Jennifer Dummett (Raymond Chassie), Becky (Stephane) Rocque and Amber Johnson; sixteen great grand children; sister Lilly Mayhew; other relatives and many dear friends.

Peggy was predeceased by loving husband Frank Dummett; parents Lillie and Albert Plautz; sisters: Mary (Alfred) Hildebrandt, Ada (Pete) Glomlien, and Dolly (Don) Nicolson; brother Albert (Bea) Plautz; grandson Ryan Dummett; brother-in-law Bob Mayhew and granddaughter Larrissa Nielsen.
Peggy’s life will be marked by her profound love and dedication to her family.

Celebration of Life
Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 P.M.
Evangelical Free Church
Coronation, Alberta

Memorial donations in memory of Peggy are gratefully accepted to Paintearth Lodge, P.O. Box 209, Castor, Alberta T0C 0X0 or a charity of the donor’s choice.