MARGARET CLIFFORD

'PEGGY'

23.2.35 - 27.10.07

  Photo courtesy of David Paton

For those who didn’t know, Peggy was born in West Ham – London, you would have never have guessed it with her broad Welsh accent, she was one of five children. Her family home in West Ham was bombed, the family were rehoused but that too was bombed so in 1941 the whole family was evacuated to Wales.

Ron came into Peggy’s life when she was quite a young girl, they married when she was 20 and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a big family party and many of their friends from the dog show scene just 3 years ago.

Although they were never fortunate to have a family of their own, they had Ron’s nephew Ricky who they bought up and to Peggy he was her son and his four children became her grandchildren, I know they all adored her and she has left an enormous void in their lives.

Peggy had worked in a local factory, and then up until she retired she worked in Neath General Hospital as a laboratory assistant.

Ron and Peggy purchased their first afghan Sultan of Akbalkahn (Sultan) in 1975 from Denys and the late Olive Simpson this is where they started their many years of showing, the next to join them was Khonistan Alikhan (Tuscan) bred by Roy Wilson and Ian Hodgson.

In 1983 they saw the litter that Christine and Ron Morgan bred and fell in love with a black dog who came to live with them he was the very successful Champion Ellistine a Star Is Born (Carlo), he certainly lived up to his name, Ron was the one who did the showing until he had his heart by pass then Peggy took over. I had fallen in love with this very elegant black boy and asked if I could use him at stud on my Ch Palameedes Anaja of Calamayor they agreed. Oh what fun we had trying to get the pair of them mated finally we got our mating and from a litter of five Peggy and Ron chose another solid black boy Mylo – Calamayor Glyndwr, he too became a champion, Gail and Roger Link used him and I had a black bitch Orashan Jade from the litter and Peggy and I had her in partnership.

In 2000 I had a litter from Jade as I was working and Peggy was longing to see a puppy being born as she just missed seeing Mylo’s litter being born by a few hours, she and Ron came to stay, at this particular time they had lost both Carlo at 13+ and Mylo had died suddenly at the age of 9. At 10pm on the 1st March 2000 Peggy and I took Jade to the vets as things were not as they should have been and she ended up having a caesarean, she had six healthy pups, whilst I was working Peggy and Ron took over caring for the puppies, Jade loved Peggy and trusted her implicitly with the puppies, Dave and I could see Peggy making a fuss of the only black dog and knowing they had said they wouldn’t be having anymore dogs we asked if they would have him as a gift, Ron first of all said no he didn’t think so but Peggy had already come up with a name so Calamayor Barathea (Calif) went to Wales. Peggy showed him to start with but he became to strong and Ron took over then their niece Nadine started showing him at local open shows and I showed him at championship shows eventually Nadine took over the showing. Peggy and Ron retired him last year (2007) as Peggy was not in the best of health and the early mornings and driving up and down the county was becoming too much for them both.

For over 30 years up until her death Peggy served as a committee member on the Afghan Hound Club of Wales. She also did her bit as the wife of a committee member on the Welsh Kennel Club three day championship show in August by selling catalogues she had to be on her stand at 7am come rain or shine, last year she was unwell and was unable too.

Peggy was one of the friendliest people you could wish to meet, she was a true friend to me when my husband Dave travelled abroad with his job we spoke everyday on the phone, I will treasure the time we were together in Builth Wells last year (2007) when the four of us went out for a meal.

I think I speak for everybody who knew her, she never missed the chance to stop and have a few words, with that lovely smile and welsh accent, I for one miss her so much, especially our nightly phone calls. It was an honour to have known you Peggy and now you are reunited with your beautiful boys and Jade who passed away in January this year.

Bless you Peggy.

Thereséa Grist

March 2008
 

Messages from Affie Lovers Members

† It is with a heavy heart I have to tell you that I have heard from Christine Morgan and Theresea Grist that dear Peggy Clifford passed away early this morning. Peggy was truly one of the loveliest ladies in the dog world and will be very sadly missed by so many of us. Peggy adored children and was 'Aunty Peggy' to many of the Afghan peoples children. She always had a smile and loved a joke and a laugh and I know will be remembered with great affection and respect by all who knew her.
My deepest sympathies go to Ronald, Ricky and Nadine at this saddest of times.
Could we ask that no one phones Ronald for the time being please but I am sure cards would be very welcome so he knows we are thinking of him in his loss.
Now reunited with her beloved Carlo and Mylo, God Bless and keep you Peggy.
Hazel and Ray

† Still reeling from this news, Hazel, Peggy was a wonderful person, friendly and caring and a good laugh. She had time for people whoever they were, she will be sadly missed. Our hearts go out to Ronald and family, they must just be heartbroken, Shona and Rory (Bettany)

† Hi Hazel, please send my condolences to Ron and family, this is so sad.
Love Pauline x (Metcalfe)

† God Bless Peggy, she was a queen among so few.
May she fly high with our Eagles litter with Mylo and Maddie,
So sad
Susan & Clive x (Winters)

† I still cannot believe this wonderful lady has left us. Peggy was one of life’s good people, always there with a smiling face and a good word, I never heard her say ill of anyone and she will be greatly missed by so, so many.
The world is a darker place without this wonderful lady in it.
I hope Mylo and Carlo are walking by her side now.
Nikki (Dean)

† So sorry to hear this saddest of news. My condolences to Ron and the family circle.
Elizabeth (Beck)

† We are saddened to hear this news.
Peggy made us feel very welcome in the dog world when we first started and we will miss her.
Our thoughts and sympathies to her family and friends at this sad time.
Regards
Rich & Jan (Thompson & Twentyman)

† Oh Hazel what next!!! this is devastating news.
Dear Peggy was such a wonderful Lady and my deepest sympathy goes out to Ron and family and know that she will be missed by many of us Affi Lovers. She was so bubbly and was always fun to be round and her dulcet welsh tones will ring in our hearts forever. She is with her boys now, RIP my dear. So sad, we will all miss her so much not being at the Welsh shows.
Love to all from John (Hope)

† Hi Hazel
Truly Dreadful news, Peggy was such a lovely Lady and liked by all, My thoughts are with her Ron and her family
Jo xx (Smith)

† Hi Hazel,
Still comes as a shock when reading this over again.
I really shall miss Peggy and our chats around the ringside. Such a lovely person. Poor Ron will be devastated.
PAT (Latimer)

† Please pass on our deepest sympathy to all of Peggy’s family. We were so sorry to hear of this news. Jackie and Michael (Day)

† We were both so very sorry to hear of the untimely death of Peggy, Hazel. We often had a giggle at the shows, the Welsh ones particularly - and I know she will be very sadly missed. Please pass our sympathies to Ron and the family.
Di and Keith. (Searle)

† Dearest Ronald
Our thoughts and love are with you, Ricky, Zoe, Toyha, Nadine and Ricky Jr. at this very sad time.
We have lost our best friend, words cannot express how we are feeling, we are honoured to have known Peggy for the past 20 + years. Remember the laughs we had travelling from one end of the country to the other to shows, and when Dave was working abroad the three of us staying in motels with the dogs, and putting the world to right on the way home. Peggy may not have always had the easiest ride in life but she had you a husband in a million who adored her and 50+ years of marriage, and so many wonderful memories.
I will miss my daily chats, god bless you Peggy may you be at peace and free from pain.
Our fondest love always
Thereséa & Dave xx (Grist)

Dave, Theresea, Peggy and Ronald - Photo courtesy of  David Paton

† We too would like to add our condolences to Ron and the family, I shall miss that warm smile thinking of you Ron
Sue and Nigel (Kemp)

† Dear Ron and Family
We are so sorry to hear about the news of Peggy, she was a lovely lady and will be missed by many.
Kind Regards
Liz and Claire xx (Millward)

† Sean is devastated to hear the news of Auntie Peggy as are we all. Special hugs to Ron from both the boys and our thought go to the family.
Love, Sharon, Shirley, Sean and Aaron xxxx (Marshall, Gill)

† This is such sad news my heartfelt condolences to Ronald and all the family, Peggy was a very lovely lady and always had a smile on her face, she will be sorely missed by many.
love Jayne xx (Edwards)

† What can I say that has not already been said 'WHAT A LADY' and so true, my heart goes out to Ron and family
I raise a glass of Carlo's water to a true lady
Love
Geraldine, Colin (Hughes)

† Please pass our condolences on to Ron & family.
Peggy was a wonderful lady & will be very sadly missed by everyone. Peggy always had such a great smile & personality.
Love Tricia & Dave (Churchill)

† Dear Hazel,
OMG what awful news.
I only saw her a little while back, and she was sitting laughing that the new blood they gave her wasn’t as good as her own. Bless her I never heard her speak ill of anyone, and she made me feel so welcome when I first showed Khali.
I shall miss you Peggy. My love to your family at this sad time.
Reunited again with her dearest boys. The Bridge will be a happier place.
Love Mo, Khali and Chilli xxxx (Hudson)

† We were so very sorry to return from our holiday and read such sad news Hazel. Our love and thoughts go to Ron and the rest of Peggy's family at this very sad time.
Lesley x (Busby)

† I was shocked and so saddened to read this tragic news. Peggy was one of the happiest people I ever had the pleasure to meet and spread warmth and laughter wherever she went.
My heartfelt sympathy goes to Ron and their family.
Love Cathy (Harding)

† Hello Hazel. Please pass on our condolences to Ron & family.
Peggy was a lovely lady & will be sadly missed by everyone.
love Jackie and Alan (Buttle)

† Please pass my condolences on to Ron & family for their loss.
Cath (O’Donnell)

† What dreadful news. So very sorry.
Avril (Lancashire)

† Yesterday Ronald laid his beloved Peggy to rest. The service was very emotional and very dignified and the Chapel of rest was packed to the doors with family and friends.
Affie Lovers sent a floral tribute from us all as Peggy was a valued member of long standing, Chris Bagshaw made it for us and it was really beautiful. Peggy loved flowers and she had so many the directors stopped counting the tributes after 40. Ronald will treasure the many cards long after the flowers have faded I know. He has also asked me to print out your messages of condolences for him which have been read to him already but which he wishes keep. I will do that today and thank you everyone.
Among the many friends who went to pay their last respects were Theresa and Dave Grist, who kindly made it possible for me to go. Tim and Jackie Scott, Roger and Gail Link, Geoff and Heather Bunney, Fiona Grant, Chris Bagshaw, Garry Mason and his wife, Ron and Christine Morgan, Paul and Michelle Cheshire, the entire Royal Welsh Ch Show Committee and many of the AHCW Committee including Isobell Dyke and many more. Those I have left out please forgive me.
There were tears and there was laughter and there were many happy memories of a much loved lady. Hopefully Ronald is going to have a go at joining us here in Affie Lovers one day, I know we will all make him very welcome when he does.
Hazel x

† Thank you for letting us know how it went Hazel. I so wish I could have been there to pay my respects to this wonderful lady, sadly the journey was beyond me.
Rest In Peace Peggy.
Love Nikki (Deen)

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