The City of Chestermere is saddened by the passing of former Mayor Elaine Peake, who passed away peacefully on September 27 at the age of 101, surrounded by her family.
A former Mayor, councillor, journalist, historian, author, volunteer and advocate for seniors, Elaine’s connection to Chestermere spanned more than six decades. She was part of the community’s story from its early days as a small Summer Village through its transition to a Town and its later growth into a City.
Elaine and her late husband, John Peake, first came to Chestermere in the mid-1960s, when they had a summer cabin at the lake. When year-round residency became permitted, they made Chestermere their permanent home. Elaine later explained the appeal of the community in characteristically simple terms: “We all moved here because we liked what we saw.”
Photo courtesy of Anchor Media Inc.
From reporting on Council to leading it
Elaine’s involvement in municipal government began as a journalist.
She covered some of Chestermere’s earliest Council meetings, back when the municipal operation consisted of an ATCO trailer, a Mayor, two councillors and a secretary. Listening to those early discussions gave her an education in local government and sparked her interest in serving the community herself.
After the unexpected death of her husband, friends and neighbours encouraged Elaine to run for Council. John Peake had served on Council and had been active with lakefront property owners, and John Peake Park was later named in his honour. Elaine recalled deciding that she was “too young to just give up and sit at home.” Public service became a way to remain engaged in her community and help shape its future.
Elaine served ten years on Council, including five years as Mayor. She helped lead Chestermere through its transition from a Summer Village to a Town, a change that brought a larger Council and a separate election for Mayor.
One of the accomplishments that gave her the greatest satisfaction was the arrival of municipal water. Elaine later described finally having reliable, good-quality water as one of the biggest thrills of her time in office and something she was especially proud to have been Mayor for.
Preserving the stories of Chestermere Lake
Elaine did not simply participate in Chestermere’s history. She helped preserve it.
She edited Growing Through Time: Stories of Chestermere Lake, a local history that documented the cabin owners and families who lived around the lake, the organizations active in the community, and the early development of Chestermere Lake through the CPR Western Section Irrigation District. The 228-page book also included photographs and extensive family histories. It remains part of the University of Calgary’s Local Histories Collection and is available as a reference through libraries.
Elaine’s love of writing began in childhood. She remembered winning a writing award in Grade 5 and later took university extension and provincial courses before beginning to write for Heritage magazine.
While she and her family were still summer residents, Elaine wrote humorous columns about life at the lake. Her playful description of Chestermere as the “Muddy Puddle” occasionally drew objections from nearby acreage and farm owners, but Elaine said the columns were intended to capture the humour and unpredictability of summers at the lake.
She later wrote for the Rocky View News, the Rocky View Times and several Western Canadian magazines. She was also the first reporter for The Chestermere Anchor.
Her curiosity extended beyond local government and community history. Elaine co-authored two books about Calgary’s public art. One of them, A Second Look at Calgary’s Public Art, was published in 1992 and documented public artworks and their creators as a companion for walking tours of the city.
A lifelong commitment to community
Elaine’s public service continued long after she left elected office.
A lifetime member of the Chestermere Whitecappers, she supported initiatives that improved quality of life for local seniors and helped residents remain active and connected. In 2016, Elaine spoke publicly about the need to bring younger seniors into the Whitecappers so the organization would remain active and renewed. She also recalled that potluck suppers had been an important part of the club since it was established in 1983.
Elaine once said that the most comforting part of living in Chestermere was being known. Wherever she went, people remembered her, stopped to speak with her and made her feel connected to the community.
Elaine was indeed well known, but more importantly, she will be well remembered.
In recognition of her extraordinary public service and lasting contribution to Chestermere, flags at City facilities will be lowered to half-mast in her honour.
On behalf of Mayor and Council, City Administration, and the residents of Chestermere, the City extends its deepest condolences to Elaine’s family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.
Her legacy lives on in the community she helped lead, the history she preserved and the generations of residents who continue to call Chestermere home.