Margaret Louise (Findlay) was born in the seaside town of Ayr, Scotland, June 21, 1940. Her parents were John Findlay and Louisa Macintosh Taylor. She and her older brother grew up during WWII. Her father worked for a margarine factory and her mother was a very well respected school teacher. The family decided to make a change and moved out to the farming community of Beeswing in May 1950. The family lived at a house called "Kirkbank" for 10 years. Louise always thought of this place as home.
Louise was an active child and young adult. She was in the drama club and the badminton club, she road horseback and played field hockey and was best known for her fun loving sense of humor and her magnetic personality. She was an excellent student and was easily accepted at Dumfries Academy. Louise attended the College of Commerce in Glasgow from 1958 to 1960. She graduated with a secretarial degree and went to work in Social Services at Dumfries Hospital in Dumfries, Scotland, and then in administration for Beatties Bakeries in Glasgow. In 1961 Louise boldly decided to leave home and immigrate to Montreal, Canada. Her boss at the bakery firm sponsored her move and helped her find work in Canada. Montreal was a great adventure for Louise; she made many friends there and always thought of those years fondly.
Louise met Peter Jennings in 1961 in Hamilton, Bermuda, when they were both passengers on the <MI>SS Sylvania<D> on its way to Liverpool, England. Peter was fresh from the Navy and Louise was on her way home from Montreal for her brother's wedding. Peter proposed to Louise on the hillside overlooking the family farm in Scotland. Peter took a job at Sugarbush and Louise would make the trip down from Montreal on the weekends. Eventually they were married at the Waitsfield Church, December 7, 1963.
Louise had many jobs during the early days in The Valley, waitressing at the Mad Bush, managing Stark Mountain Lodge, among others. The couple worked hard and eventually opened Jennings Real Estate and Property Management in 1964. Louise was a core member of the early Valley community. She was always willing to lend a hand to friends and neighbors. She helped establish several Valley businesses and was well respected in the business community. Louise had real passion for her work and always took great pride in being a professional and working hard.
Louise was an inspiration to many people throughout her life. Her positive attitude and vibrant spirit were integral to her personality. She showed her support in many different ways, always sensitive to the feelings of others. Her sense of humor was legendary among her friends and family. Her incredible strength and perseverance, even while facing difficult obstacles, gave many people a new perspective on their own lives. Her generosity to all she loved was endless and she will be sadly missed.
Louise is survived by her husband, Peter Jennings of Waitsfield, VT; her son, Simon Jennings and his wife Julianna, and three granddaughters of Granville, VT; her daughter, Ashley Woods and her husband Matthew, two granddaughters and a grandson of Warren, VT; her brother, Billy Findlay and his wife Anna of New Abbey, Scotland; her nieces and nephews, Ruth, Elspeth, John and Adam; and eight great nieces and nephews in the UK.
A memorial and potluck lunch will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2007, at Louise's home in Warren (the Kristal Gallery on East Warren Road). If you would like to contribute to the lunch or help in some way, please contact Ashley Woods at
