She leaves to grieve 5 children, Julie (Jim) Richardson, Kemi (Ira) Strickstein, Eric (Angela) Gaabo, Martti Gaabo, Matthew (Stacie) Gaabo, her beloved grandchildren, Tyler (Chelsea), Casey, Connor (Megan), Larry, Emma, Nora, Joseph, Callan, Thomas and one treasured great grandson, Beckett.
Also survived by her sister-in-law and life long dear friend, Shirley Caren as well as so many nieces and nephews. She was everyone’s favorite, Aunt Peggy.
Peggy was predeceased by her husband, Larry and daughter Callan, as well as her parents John L. and Mary Ann Caren, siblings Patricia, Marie, Noreen, Janavice, Jack and Chuck.
Peggy was amazing. There’s just no other way to say it. Class valedictorian, college graduate, smart, beautiful, generous, kind, inclusive, she had too many great qualities to list. She had a love of learning and was constantly reading, digesting and discussing everything from religion to politics to current events. As a working mother of 6, Peggy attended the University of Michigan and secured her Masters degree in Public Health. At 65, she decided to take up jogging, and ran in her first 5k, taking first place in her age group, to no one’s surprise.
If you were her friend, you were her friend for life. She was one of those rare people who was always keeping in touch with old friends while still constantly making new ones. She loved a good party, a quality beer, dancing and skiing. She could sew, crochet, knit and even weave. She had an ever-present smile and was up for any adventure. At 80(!), a great groupon deal found her jumping out of an airplane! She never said no to time with friends or family as her beloved group of “Boat Ladies” can attest to, sharing many great times together.
She was fiercely, stubbornly independent and would do anything for anyone and never expect anything in return. She embraced Larry’s Finnish heritage, but as everyone knew, she was 100% Irish and very proud of that. She leaves broken hearts around the country but missed those who went ahead so very much.
A life well lived, very well lived.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at St. Perpetua Catholic Church, 134 Airport Road in Waterford. The family will receive friends on Friday, May 27, 2022 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road in White Lake and Saturday at church from 10:00am until the time of mass at 11:00am. A rosary will be held Friday evening at 6:00pm. Interment will take place at All Saints Cemetery in Waterford. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Catholic Relief Services or Doctors Without Borders.
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