Family

Peto Family

1918-2017

Leonard Donnelly Peto was born on July 19, 1918, in Virden, Manitoba, to Walter and Kate Peto. Leonard received a BA from the University of Winnipeg and a Bachelors in Education from the University of Manitoba. He married Pauline Patricia Peto (Martin) in 1947 and had 2 children: Leona (Murray) Brown and Joan (Dr. Fraser) Linklater. Soon after graduating university, Leonard began to teach in schools. In 1953 he contracted polio and had to put his career on hold for a year and a half. Once he recovered, he continued to teach in a wheelchair at River Heights Junior High for 23 years as Head of the English Department and science teacher. In 1983 he had to return to the King George Hospital (Riverview Health Centre) due to deteriorated lungs. With the aid of a respirator, he continued to voluntarily teach throughout the community. Leonard’s achievements were recognized in 1998 when he received the Governor Generals Award as a “Caring Canadian”; in 1953 when he received an award from the Independent Living Resource Centre; and when the United Nations “Year of the Family” chose the Peto family as the Manitoban “Family of the Year”. Leonard was a member of the Mentors Club, President of the Toastmasters Group, honourary member of the Princess Elizabeth Guild, member of the Post Polio Club, on the board of Riverview Health Centre, and worshipped at St. Aidan’s Anglican Church for over 50 years. Leonard is known for his sense of humour, patience, kindness, even temper, source of inspiration to students, and his strong religious beliefs. Leonard passed away on March 24, 2001.

Pauline Patricia Peto (Martin) was born on March 13, 1918, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Francis (Frank) Martin and Clara Belle Powley. After high school, Pauline graduated from the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Home Economics in 1939 and Faculty of Education in 1940. She began her career in British Columbia teaching sewing, however moved back to Winnipeg shortly thereafter. Pauline married Leonard Donnelly Peto in 1947 and had 2 daughters: Leona (Murray) Brown and Joan (Dr. Fraser) Linklater. She overcame the challenges that came when her husband contracted polio in 1953, that had lasted for a year and half, whilst raising her family and continuing her career. Pauline was a member of the St. Aidan’s Anglican Church for over 50 years, an active member of the Women’s Auxiliary, Dorcus Group, and University Women’s Club. Pauline is known for her strength of character, unwavering love for her family, enduring Christian faith, and intense love for Winnipeg. Pauline passed away on February 24 2017.

Draft

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Created by Analeigh Novak (June 2019).