Margaret "Peggy" Centanni

Peggy passed away peacefully in Alameda, California, on December 5, 2022 at the age of 102. Loving wife of the late Angelo Centanni. She is survived by her two daughters, Colette “Coly” Centanni-Young and her husband Tom Young of Alameda, California, Anne Knight and her husband Steve Knight of Snohomish, Washington, her sister Dorothy Tuttle of Madison, Wisconsin, and her three nieces Cathy, Barbara and Patty Tuttle. Cherished grandmother of Elizabeth “Betsy” Knight and Tom Young, Jr.

Peggy, born in Santa Rosa, California, met the love of her life, a handsome sailor named Angelo, at a USO dance in San Francisco during World War II. She was a student at San Francisco State at the time, pursuing a teaching credential. Peggy and Angelo were married in 1945, after the war ended. They settled in San Jose, where Angelo was a continuing student at San Jose State, whose college education had been interrupted by his service in the Navy. After Angelo finished his Master of Arts degree at Stanford University, they started their family. Coly was born first, and Anne followed 14 months later. They lived on the East Side of San Jose, on Machado Lane, where they built two houses, one in 1950 and the other in 1961, both designed by Angelo.

Peggy was a Physical Education teacher at Roosevelt Jr. High, and later at Herbert Hoover Jr. High. The family moved to the Rose Garden area (1660 University Avenue) after Peggy began teaching at Hoover. They lived in that house for 50 years. After she retired from teaching, she was a volunteer at O’Connor Hospital for many years. Peggy was also a weaver. She loved sitting at her loom making beautiful blankets, wall hangings and shawls.

She will be missed by all who knew her.

A Visitation for Peggy will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, 710 Willow Street, San Jose, with a Rosary at 6 p.m. A final viewing will be held from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2023, also at Lima Family Erickson, with the Funeral Mass to follow at 11 a.m. at St. Leo the Great Church, 88 Race Street, San Jose. Luncheon to follow at Lima Family Erickson. Internment private.