Margaret Mary "Peggy" McDonough

Margaret (“Peggy”) Mary (Hurley) McDonough, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend of many entered eternal life on July 26, 2014. Peggy was born in Flushing, New York on October 24, 1922 to Margaret and Francis Hurley, both of whom pre-deceased her. She is survived by her dear sister, Mary Doubek, of Helena, Montana.

Peggy was one of the first women to attend law school. She started at Northwestern University and transferred to St. Louis University where she met the love of her life, John J. McDonough, Jr., a WWII veteran. She graduated from St. Louis U. and taught in its Business school before starting law school. She married John on May 31, 1947. John predeceased Peggy on May 8, 2002. Peggy is survived by their eight beloved children: Peggy Couch (Doug), Prairie Village; Mary Gomez (Pat), Olathe; Elaine Eppright (Frank, Deceased), Lenexa; Elise Serrano (Richard), Fairfax, VA; John J. McDonough, III (Yvonne), Olathe; Frank McDonough (Anne), Kansas City; Marianne Brennan (Steve), Leawood; and Madeleine McDonough (Cyd Slayton), Mission Hills. Peggy is also survived by twenty-one loving grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren (her 20th is expected in August, 2014). Peggy is also survived by her dear sister-in-law, Mary Catherine Rodgers, St. Louis, MO and by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Peggy returned to school after raising her children. She graduated from Avila University with a lifetime certification in Education. For many years, Peggy taught seventh and eighth grade Language Arts at St. Catherine’s Grade School, Kansas City, MO and subsequently at Oxford Middle School, Overland Park, KS. Peggy also taught English as a Second Language with the Johnson County Library and volunteered at Kaleidoscope in Crown Center for many years.

Peggy was beautiful and had a great sense of humor. Even up until the end, she loved playing bingo, solving crosswords, going to movies, reading mysteries and watching Jeopardy! She was a gifted, dedicated and hard-working teacher and a terrific writer. She passed her loves of reading and writing on to her children and students.

Above all, Peggy was a wonderful mother. She was always supportive and never judgmental. Each of her children loved just being with her because her love for each was boundless. She personified rich family life and infinite kindness, love and generosity. Peggy’s and John’s best gifts to their children were each other.

Peggy’s visitation will be at McGilley & Hoge Funeral Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, KS, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 beginning with the Rosary. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Holy Trinity Parish, 13615 West 92nd Street, Lenexa, KS at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa. The family suggests contributions to Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090-6231 or Bishop Sullivan Center’s Project ElderCool, 6435 East Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64126-2635. Please offer condolences at www.mcgilleyhoge.com.

Our deep appreciation and gratitude go out to Lynne E. Kallenbach, M.D., Kansas City Internal Medicine, for her kindness and professionalism.

We will never forget you Peggy, Mom and Grandma. All our love always.

Arrangements under the direction of McGilley & Hoge, Overland Park, KS.