Passed peacefully away surrounded by her loving, proud, awestricken family at the Carbonear Private Josiah Squibb - 4South on Sunday, March 22, 2026 after an unprecedented admirably inspiring resilience, over multiple years, to relentlessly live with the aggressive horrors of Alzheimer's. It may have taken her mind but, it did not take her spirit, humour, or core personal traits. Peggy held strong to her core self right up to, and including, her final peaceful breath. This is an authentic testament of who Peggy was her entire life - she did not quit nor submit to her life-claiming disease. Instead, she owned it with grace, class, and inspirational power.

She was born in Englee (White Bay), and raised in Hant's Harbour (Trinity Bay South), Newfoundland. Peggy lived in Englee, Hant's Harbour, Roddicton (White Bay), St. John's, Manuels (Conception Bay South.), Labrador City, Clarenville,  Miramichi (New Brunswick), and Largo (Florida).

Predeceesed by her parents, Maude (nee Rowsell) and Chesley Short, and her husband, of 54 years, Wilson Adams.

Leaving to mourn are her children, Aimee and Stephen (Laurie); grandchildren, Nathan (Corale), Melanie (Simon), Amina Latifa (Luke), Brandon (Cassidy), and Zachary; great-grandsons, Emile and Eero and great-granddaughter, Harlow; brothers, Guy (Doreen) and Donald, sisters, Valma (Harvey), Patsy, Dorothy (Wallace), and Charlotte (Gerald), a large circle of nieces, nephews, other relatives, professional colleagues, and many other friends and acquaintances near and far throughout the world.

Peggy, full of adventure, curiosity, ambition, and excitement, left home at the age of 17 to teach in a small school in Roddicton. It was there that she met Wilson Selby Adams. They married September 12, 1970. Together they moved to Manuels where they raised their two children, Aimee and Stephen. Next, Peggy and Wilson relocated to Hant's Harbour where she worked as an elementary school teacher full-time and a Nursing Assistant (LPN) part-time within the area. She also worked during her intermittent temporary residences in Labrador City, Miramichi, and Clarenville to be with her husband during his employment pursuits at that time. For ten years Peggy and Wilson spent 6 months of every year at their vacation home in Largo, which she thoroughly enjoyed making friends, entertaining, travelling, and relaxing.

She retired in 2011 but it never stopped her from always being busy within the community, her church, family, grandchildren, travelling, visiting her children and grandchildren, gardening, baking, cooking, entertaining family and friends, and enjoying personal interests at her leisure.

Peggy was a secondary school teacher who taught mostly primary but, all other grades as well. She was also a special education teacher who gave above and beyond with so much love and care for each of her students. She taught at A.C. Palmer (Roddicton), Vater's Collegiate (St. John's), Baccalieu Collegiate, (Old Perlican), and Perlwin Elementary (Winterton); and elementary schools in Victoria and Port de Grave before they closed.

As a  Nursing Assistant / LPN, Peggy worked at the Janeway Children's Hospital (St. John's), Health Sciences Centre (St. John's), Escassoni Seniors Home (St. John's), and the Harbour Lodge (Carbonear).

Music was the heartbeat of Peggy's life and it flowed through her so naturally without any required effort. Thus, she was an exceptionally gifted musician who was an accomplished pianist, but played numerous other instruments too (piano accordion, guitar, ukulele, saxophone, organ, and many others). She sang in choirs, directed Christmas pageants and school plays, and played the piano in her local church for the majority of her adult life, even when she had advanced Alzheimer's. It remained as natural as breathing for her despite her memory loss as she glided up and down the keys non-stop.

Being a grandmother was definitely one of Peggy's most proud roles and strengths that she did so well. Her expertise as a school teacher and musician made her adventures, support, and activities with her grandchildren a solid loving bond which significantly influenced their childhood and adult life successes. Education, going on trips to explore, music, family loyalty and quality time together were important to her. Upholding cultural traditions and high morals were the values she promoted and practiced with them through direct example. She chastised, mentored, and gave devoted involvement to their daily lives whether they were near or far. All of Peggy's grandchildren adored her and had extremely close loving bonds with her. She was more than their grandmother; she was their rock.

Peggy was a barrel of fun, not afraid to speak her mind (whether you liked it or not), was the leader of the gang, and the life of any social event wherever she went. This was true with strangers or lifelong kin. She treated everyone with a welcoming heart and home, made witty jokes, teased them, fed them well, and kept them actively entertained. They loved her for it.

In terms of arts and crafts, Peggy could crochet, knit, sew, and was so creative, especially with making decorations, cards, displays, and educational learning centres.Her classroom at school was always second to none which the kids always loved. She was great at writing and making poetic rhymes, too.

Outdoor favourites of Peggy were sitting and meditating by the beach (especially New Melbourne Beach), berry picking, birdwatcher, gardening, going for boil ups in the woods or on the beach during all seasons of the year, and skidoo-ing. She was an enthusiastic participant when playing games (Skip-bo), and during sing-song get togethers with family and friends and at seniors homes for the residents. She also enjoyed reading books, watching movies, travelling, exploring different cultures and history, listening to classical, gospel, and easy listening music, watching ballets, attending her grandchildren's sports, concerts, plays and educational events. She actively supported and participated in numerous community events / activities.

Peggy was a very strong practicing Christian with unshakable faith and dedication to her spiritual beliefs and applied those principles to her daily life.

As a wife and mother, Peggy gave her entire life to them. Despite being a highly active working professional as a teacher and nurse assistant, it did not prevent her from upholding strong cultural housewife duties with dedication. No matter how tired or busy she was, there was always a delicious home cooked  meal, freshly baked bread and cookies, and an impeccably clean house. She made sure homework was done, and the family routine and traditions were upheld.

In short, Peggy was an exceptional, elegant, classy woman, and had high standards for herself and others. She was demanding, especially on her children but only because she loved them so much and believed that nothing but the best was good enough for or from them to ensure that they achieved their highest potential, She was successful in that quest. All of her children and grandchildren are very well accomplished with solid stable life paths that she was heavily involved in supporting. Presentation, education, and dressing your best were never compromised. She refused to ever let life's obstacles, battles, illnesses, or circumstances get in her way from excelling and keeping her family, friends, beliefs, and career at the top of her priorities. No matter how tired, exhausted, busy, or sick, she still made it all happen and kept things together.

There are no words to convey how devastating her loss is to not only her family but, to all who knew her. She has left us with the legacy of class and elegance. Her motto was to never quit no matter what life throws at you, and to never let go of core values. She emphasized the importance of keeping family and traditions as non-negotiable, and above all, laughing and having fun while simultaneously looking like she just jumped out of a vogue magazine. She was truly an amazing lady.

The family are sending their sincerest heartfelt gratitude to the Palliative Care Staff at the Private Josiah Squibb Long-Term Care Facility. Their professionalism, superior palliative care keeping Peggy at peace, compassion, and hugs were our saving grace. Not only did they take care of Peggy, they took care of us as well bringing food, drinks, and sharing stories of her being one of their favourite residents because she was always so easy-going and happy. You are forever dear to our hearts.

Visitation at Calvary Pentecostal Church, Hant's Harbour on Friday, March 27 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Funeral service on Saturday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m. from Calvary Pentecostal Church, Hant's Harbour. Interment in Calvary Pentecostal Cemetery, Hant's Harbour.

If you would like to have a message read at the funeral service, please send it to calvarypchh@outlook.com .

To watch the Funeral Service please click here