For forty years, Pegi Dover worked to make this planet a better place. In her time as Executive Director with Environment Funders Canada (formerly CEGN), she was critical to the success and growth of the organization. Her passion and compassion were an inspiration to many (if not all), and her dedication to serving the greater good was remarkable. The environmental and philanthropic sectors are genuinely better off for her having played a part.
Pegi was diagnosed with brain cancer sixteen months ago. Since retiring from EFC in early 2020, Pegi filled her days with time spent with family and friends and time spent in nature. While Covid-19 did change her plans for the last year, Pegi, true-to-character, made the best of the situation staying positive until the end.
MakeWay is grateful to have had a long history of partnership and friendships with Pegi over the years, through the Environmental Funders Network, with the Northern Manitoba Food, Culture, and Community Collaborative, and the Artic Funders Collaborative.
Here are some words and images from staff honouring their memories of Pegi.
“Pegi attended the very first NMFCCC learning trip as an invited guest. She was such a great addition and this trip helped her get fired up to help with Qualified Donee issues and deepened her thoughts on allyship (she shared this with me). I love the way she brought people together and have tried to model this in my work. I was emailing with her up until last fall on a variety of things, including how to be good allies, how to vacation on Isles de la Madeline, and how to stay well during Covid-19 and cancer. I’m super grateful to have been able to meet her. She is one of the people that changed me a bit, facilitated a little bump of personal evolution, and so I carry her now.” – Julie Price, Northern Manitoba Food Culture and Community hosted at MakeWay
“She was a delightful woman.” –Steve Ellis, Northern Program Lead, MakeWay
“Pegi was a gem – always curious, working to build and bridge relationships, and so sweet and respectful in her way in the world. She helped us build the Healing Through the Land work at Catherine Donnelly Foundation and was a champion of so much community-led work. In appreciation of the fleetingness of life”—Darcy Riddell, Director of BC Program, MakeWay
“Pegi’s leadership in the sector has helped to accelerate Canada’s environmental agenda, leaving a legacy in the extensive research and policy documentation for which she participated or led. Rest in Power, Pegi”—Leanne Burton, Director of Partnership Development, MakeWay
“Pegi was one of those people who was generous and caring to whomever she met. And she was also deeply political: whether it was bringing an urgency to climate work amongst the funders or a much deeper focus on Indigenous rights. As so many of us have said, her legacy will be felt for many years to come. What a humble leader. She will be deeply missed.” – Joanna Kerr, CEO, MakeWay
