Our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend passed away on May 25, 2018. Margaret Hannah McGowan Lee was born August 4, 1920 in Vestaburg, PA, daughter of a coal miner. Her parents were James Francis and Josephine King McGowan.
Peggy is survived by her son, Douglas (Mary) Lee; daughters, Dianna (John) Thomas, Peggy (Ron) Sitka and Paula (Ron) Rideau; grandchildren, Meghan Lee (Dennis) Parker, Paul and John Lee, Josh (Lesley) Poole, Nicole Thomas (Mike) Skalka, Paige Sitka (Charles) Bullock, Cody (Nicole) Sitka, Chase Rideau; 8 great grandchildren and Baby Girl Sitka due in October; sister-in-law, Charlotte Lee Morrow; niece Jeanine Kunetka Jones, who was like a daughter to her; Dorothy Simek, who was a dear neighbor, co-worker and best friend for nearly 60 years; and numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Douglas Lee in 1965; her parents; brothers, Vincent and James McGowan; and sister, Jean Kunetka.
Our parents’ story began like many others in wartime, a pretty girl’s picture that caught a soldier’s eye. They corresponded over the miles and years until Mom boarded that train to a small Texas town.
After our Dad passed, Mom was dedicated to providing for her family. She worked for Our Lady of Victory School as the cafeteria manager and then retired from Bealls after 15 years and remained friends with the “Bealls Bunch”. Peggy was always self-motivated and “in charge” till the end. She always had a purpose. Besides devotion to her family, Mom continued to be active in her Catholic faith. She was in the OLV Altar Society, OLV Quilters and a 70+ year member of the Catholic Daughters. Crocheting was her passion and her talent was shared with Hospice of South Texas. Her first grandson, Josh, called her “Mamo” and has been lovingly known as “Mamo” since.
Join the family in a celebration of Peggy’s life on Wednesday, May 30, 2018 for a visitation from 5 to 7 pm at Colonial Funeral Home followed by a rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral with Father Gary Janak presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Pallbearers are grandsons, Josh Poole, Paul and John Lee, Cody Sitka, Chase Rideau; nephews, David Vinklarek and Jimmy McGowan.
In remembrance, donations may be made to OLV School, Hospice of South Texas or Kindred Hospice. The family would like to thank Eve, Adrianna and Kaylee of Kindred Hospice; and Karen and Nancy of Senior Helpers for the care given to our Mom.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com
