Margaret Peggy "Peggy" Wagner

Peggy Wagner (nee Johnson) passed away peacefully at home on Aug. 10, 2013, in Yuma, Ariz. at the age of 74. She showed tremendous strength and spirit throughout her life, especially during the last five years as she lived with stage IV breast cancer, fighting it every step of the way. Loved by so many, her ever-building list of family and friends began in 1939 in Wauwatosa, Wisc., where she was born Margaret Jean on Aug. 1 to Robert and Margaret Johnson (both dec.).

Peggy left to us a legacy of love, caring, service and faith. She is survived by husband Wayne, with whom she shared 51 blessed and beautiful years of marriage. Peggy is the cherished mother of five children—Brian (Cheryl), David (Debbie), Mary (Greg) Wagner-Tharp, Andy (Jennifer) and Meg (Grant) Rodney—and beloved grandmother of eight grandchildren—Elizabeth, Anne, Tyler, JR, Quinn, Emma, Claire and J.T. Her family was her life’s dedication, exemplified by her insistence on family vacations, hosting holidays, weekly phone calls and babysitting duties.

She also heard the Lord’s call of service through a career as a kindergarten teacher and being an active volunteer all her life. In Yuma she spent 16 years corralling 5-year-olds, first at St. Francis School, then retiring from Immaculate Conception School. Retirement wasn’t a respite, however—she remained active doing volunteer work for Immaculate Conception Church, Catholic Daughters, P.E.O. and Assistance League of Yuma.

While Yuma grew to become her home for her last 25 years, Wisconsin was always close to her heart. Peggy was raised in the Milwaukee area with five siblings—older brother Bob, younger brothers John, Mark and Mike, and younger sister Doreen (all survive). She graduated from Messmer High School and Mount Mary University. Peggy and Wayne raised their children primarily in Mequon, Wisc., and traded snow for sun in resettling to Yuma in 1988, where they decided was the perfect retirement spot, too.

In the end, her family was blessed to be able to see her through the last few weeks, during which they were able to share some tender moments, welcome laughter and the gentle passing of one of God’s greatest gifts. She instilled in us that our bond with her is unbreakable and eternal, and it is from that we are assured she will live in our hearts and memories as if she never left.

A funeral mass for Peggy will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, at 10:30 a.m., with visitation starting at 9 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Parish, 505 S. Avenue B, Yuma, Ariz., 85364, [(928) 782-7516].

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Peggy’s memory to the Assistance League of Yuma or Hospice of Yuma.