Obituary of Margaret Lillian Cameron

Margaret (Peggy) Lillian (Ryan) Cameron

Dec 15, 1935 - March 21, 2026

Peggy was born on Bouladarie Island, Cape Breton, in the farmhouse of Maggie MacLeod, for whom she was named. (The Cape Breton doctor, Dr. MacMillan, was late—and Peggy just could not wait!)

She was the only child of Francis Phillip Ryan and Sarah (Sadie) Mary (Campbell) Ryan, both originally from Massachusetts, USA.

Peggy’s early years were spent around a sawmill her father operated, where her mother worked as the cook. After the mill closed, the family moved to Kempt Head, South Bouladarie Island, where she spent her teenage years on a small farm with horses, cows, chickens, and a vegetable garden.

At just 13 years old, Peggy became a skilled hunter when her father purchased her a single-shot, bolt-action .22 calibre rifle through the Sears catalogue for $7. He modified it—shortening the barrel and resetting the sights—so it was easier for her to carry through the woods. She would proudly say she averaged a deer every two months, helping to keep her family and neighbours fed.

Peggy attended a one-room school on Bouladarie Island, though much of her education came through correspondence. She was an avid reader, a passion she carried throughout her entire life.

In her late teens, Peggy moved to Antigonish, where she lived in several rooming houses and formed many lifelong friendships, including Margie Dunn, Della Gillis, Rita Scott, and Tilley Boyle, to name a few.

She began working at the Brigadoon Restaurant on Main St. and joined the Kell's Angels ball team where she met Owen Cameron, got married and had seven children, six boys and one girl (right in the middle).

Peggy was tough but fair and spent many years as “Mom’s taxi,” driving her children to and from ball and hockey. She was active on the local school board and county council and played a key role in keeping Lower South River School open for many years before it later became a preschool.

After her children were older, Peggy returned to the workforce, working at a bookstore in the mall, then at Elm Gardens, followed by 15 years as a security guard at St. Francis Xavier University until her retirement. After raising seven children, she was more than prepared to handle university students—she had heard it all before!

Peggy had a deep love for animals, especially her Siamese cats. After receiving a Norwegian Elkhound from her cousin, Lillian Fraser, she went on to establish a CKC-registered kennel, breeding dogs for both pets and show.

Peggy also had a deep love for art. A gifted drawer and painter, she found both peace and purpose in her creative work. She later shared that gift by teaching evening art classes through adult education, inspiring others to explore their own creativity.

She was also actively involved with the SPCA in Antigonish. Through the dedicated fundraising efforts of Peggy, Betty O’Neil, Mary Haley, and others, the Antigonish SPCA became the envy of the province before being taken over at the provincial level.

Music was another of Peggy’s passions. She could often be found at a ceilidh with friends like Margie Dunn and Jimmy MacPherson in the wilds of Cape Breton, or at home listening to ABBA or Fleetwood Mac. Later in life, she took up the fiddle and surprised everyone when it was discovered that she already knew how to play the dobro (steel guitar)—a talent she had kept hidden since childhood, when she would play to the cows and chickens in the barn on Bouladarie Island.

Peggy was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Sarah (Sadie); her husband, Owen; and all her aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her children: Alex (Shelley) Cameron, Antigonish; Steve Cameron, Los Angeles; Doug (Carol) Cameron, Antigonish; Alma (Kate McQuaid) Cameron, Pomquet; Chris (Sharon) Cameron, Dartmouth; Greg (Cheryl) Cameron, Ottawa; and Matt (Natalie) Cameron, Antigonish. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stephanie Boutilier, Kyle Cameron, Kier Cameron, Skye (White) Cameron, and Holly Cameron, as well as her great-grandchildren: Gracie, Mykelti, Haisley, and Auggie.

Visitation will be held from 4-7pm on Friday, March 27th in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant Street, Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held at 11am Saturday in Ste. Croix Church, Pomquet, Reverend Dennis Lamey presiding. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peggy’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia or VON Antigonish.

Rest in well-deserved peace, Mom.

We love you. Sin agad e (that's that)!