Remembering Peggy Bryan

On February 5, the beloved Peggy Bryan passed away in Suffolk at the age of 93 after a period of illness. Peggy had moved to Suffolk four years ago to stay with her daughter prior to the Covid pandemic, and she remained there until her peaceful passing.

A Life Well-Lived

Peggy Bryan was born in Dearham and had a remarkable life filled with love, joy, and dedication. She met her late husband Tom while they were both employed at the jam factory in Maryport. The couple eventually settled down in Maryport’s 18a Brooklands Avenue and started a family, raising their two children, Margaret and Jim.

Peggy’s son, Jim Bryan, fondly remembers his mother’s work as a postwoman. He shared, “After the jam factory, mam worked at Childware and then became a postwoman working alongside my dad. That is how she became known as Peggy the postwoman… she was on the post for nearly 20 years. She used to do what was called the Ewanrigg route, which encompassed all the up and down hills on the postal route in Maryport. She had more steps to cover than most people, so she could walk for miles.”

A Beloved Community Member

Peggy Bryan was not only known for her dedicated work but also for her active involvement in the Ewanrigg community. She was a regular attendee of the Ewanrigg Community Centre, where she enjoyed playing bingo and engaging in conversations with her friends. Jim shared, “She used to go there every Tuesday for ‘coffee and craic’ as it was called, she would meet up with all of her friends, to have a craic and put the world to rights between them. She was an all-round good egg, she was lovely, she was a great mam.”

A Loving Legacy

Peggy Bryan leaves behind a loving legacy, survived by her 25 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. The family takes solace in knowing that Peggy is now reunited with her beloved late husband of 50 years, Tom, who passed away a few years ago.

Jim shared a heartwarming detail about his mother’s final days, saying, “She actually managed to see all of her grandkids within a month of her dying. The one thing she liked was when a new child or visitor went into my sister’s house where she was lying in bed. It would perk her up no end to be able to sit up and play with the kids.”

A Farewell and Committal

Peggy Bryan’s funeral will take place on Tuesday, February 27 in Suffolk, where she will be cremated. A committal of ashes service will be held in Maryport at a later date and time, to be advised.

Peggy Bryan will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and the community she touched throughout her life. Her dedication as a postwoman and her warm presence in the Ewanrigg community will always be remembered with love and admiration.