Margaret Ann Deal

Margaret Ann Deal, affectionately known as Peggy, born September 16, 1940, in White Plains, NY, lived a life defined by courage, curiosity, and adventure. She made her home in Anchorage, AK, a place that shaped her spirit and remained close to her heart throughout her life. Margaret passed peacefully on January 23, 2026, surrounded by abounding love, and is now at rest with her Heavenly Father.

At the tender age of nineteen, newly married and fearless, she traveled from Armonk, NY, to Anchorage, AK by car, navigating the Alcan Highway in January of 1960 to begin a new life. AK became her forever home. There, Margaret found her greatest joy in the outdoors—camping, gardening, nature walks, berry picking, bicycle riding, Nordic skiing, ice skating, and sledding. Fishing was her superpower; whether casting a quiet line on the Kenai River or heading out on the seas in search of halibut, she was bound to find fish.

She was a capable and devoted homemaker who raised four children in a log house she and her husband built from the ground up. Constructed paycheck to paycheck through true community effort, the home stood as a testament to perseverance, shared labor, and determination. Within those walls, Peggy created a life filled with warmth, creativity, and resilience. She taught her children countless crafts, from ceramics to macramé, instilling in them a love of art, patience in the process, and the satisfaction of making something by hand.

While living in Anchorage, Peggy also worked for the Anchorage School District in the area of food service for many years. It was work well suited to her nurturing spirit—feeding others, caring for children, and showing up each day with warmth, reliability, and pride.

Living on the outskirts of Anchorage, Peggy built a life rooted in community. Her neighbors quickly became her social circle and dearest friends, bound together by shared seasons, mutual support, and the simple joy of showing up for one another.

Margaret “Peggy” never knew a stranger—only friends she hadn’t met yet. That gift for connection was on full display when Peggy and Bill built and opened Deal’s Den B&B in Kasilof, AK. Her days were filled with welcoming guests from all over the United States and beyond. Her famous sourdough pancakes were always a guest favorite, enjoyed alongside endless cups of coffee and heartfelt conversation. After the chores were done, Peggy delighted in long walks on the beach along the Cook Inlet, often with a bit of dryer lint tucked into her jacket pocket to spark a small fire. Margaret was also an avid beach dweller. She loved the sun, and she loved the ocean more than anything—it was where she felt most at peace. Whenever they traveled, a beach was always part of the equation.

Peggy was deeply admired by her children and touched each of their lives in profound and lasting ways. She wove her love of cooking, art, nature, travel, hard work, and her indomitable can-do spirit into each child, instilling in them a curiosity about the world and a love of exploring new places—values she carried herself and passed on with intention.

Peggy is survived by her four children—Thomas Deal, Timothy Deal, Kathleen Leadbetter, and Patrick Deal—along with their spouses, her numerous grandchildren, and her youngest sister, Kathleen Dodd of FL, all of whom were deeply loved and cherished.

In January of 2023, Peggy and Bill, her late husband, relocated to the Phoenix area in search of improved health care and sunny skies. Peggy later made her home at Greenway Manor II, where she was cared for with unwavering compassion, dignity, and respect. The family would like to sincerely thank the team at Greenway Manor II for their devoted care. The family also extends their deepest gratitude to Noble Hospice, who ensured that Peggy was always comfortable with tenderness and dignity. Their quiet presence brought comfort and peace. Our family is profoundly thankful for the support provided during this final stage of their beloved mother’s life.

When she passed, Peggy was wrapped in a colorful patchwork blanket she made herself, sewn from the remnants of the pajamas she crafted each year for her grandchildren. Each patch represented a grandchild and what they were doing during that particular year of their life—a record of growth, love, and connection stitched together by her hands.

There will be no formal service. In Peggy’s honor, please enjoy a cup of coffee or a finger or two of scotch and water, and share a favorite memory, and take a moment to feel the warmth she so freely gave. Cin Cin