Peggy Ann Picarelli

Peggy Ann Picarelli, age 75, of Cape Coral, Florida passed away on Thursday, August 8, 2024. Peggy is survived by her loving husband, Christopher; sons Christopher (Suzanne) and Brendan; grandchildren Gaetano, Cheyenne, and Angelo; sisters Linda Henderson (Thomas) and Lisa Portnoy-Herm (David); nieces Jennifer Henderson, Melissa Henderson, Donna Quintana (Pedro), Peg Simmons, Jada Herm, Christine Santiago and Victoria Lomonico; nephew Jaxon Portnoy and Charles LoBello (John); great-nieces and nephews Alexa, Gia, Richie, Isabella, Petey, Xavier, Thomas, and Angelina, as well as countless friends. A visitation for Peggy will be held Sunday, August 18, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Coral Ridge Funeral Home and Cemetery Inc, 950 Chiquita Blvd. S, Cape Coral, FL 33991.

When uncle chris asked me to deliver Peggy's eulogy I felt so honored…and then I worried as I kept thinking how I articulate my memories and thoughts of one of the most incredible souls I have ever known…

How do I begin to eulogize Peggy Ann Picarelli? There is so much to share…

There is Chris, her loving husband of 54 years and how they used to be called Ken and Barbie- NYC style! And how heartbroken Chris is. and how the new normal is anything but…

Chris used to come into the bank where Peggy worked every day and ask for penny rolls…not because he had a lot of pennies, but because he liked to see her climb up to reach the penny rolls in her tight skirt. They knew quickly that they were destined for each other and were married within 6 months of meeting. They were very much in sync like 2 sides of a coin. Chris was so proud of Peggy and used to get such a kick out of everyone calling him Peggy's husband.

Peggys love for her sons Brendan and Christopher was unconditional … Peggy and Chris were both raised under extremely difficult circumstances and pretty horrific childhood/home lives and when they had kids, they vowed that since they knew better they would do better and from those if us looking in…they absolutely did. Many of us over the years were totally envious of Brendan and Christopher as we could see very clearly the love Chris and Peggy had for them.

And the love for her grandchildren Gaetano, Angelo and Cheyenne – she would light up when she talked about them

I remember when Peggy dropped everything – job/ life – everything! to be at her son’s side across the state -when one of the grandkids was born with life threatening issues. No questions asked she was there!

To know Peggy was to love Peggy and if she loved you…you were FAMILY! And if you were FAMILY …you were one of the most fortunate people on this planet. Peggy didn’t know any strangers…just friends she hadn’t met and fed yet. Her home was always open and welcome to everyone and there was always a place at the table set for you and all the strays we all tended to show up with

Peggy's kindness, generosity and laugh was legendary. If Peggy was laughing…EVERYONE within hearing distance was laughing. And she was usually laughing the hardest at herself. You didn’t have to know what she was laughing about; her laugh was totally contagious.

Peggy was the real deal. She wore her heart on her sleeve and was genuine as could be… what you saw was what you got! Whether she had blonde hair, red hair, platinum or magenta. She

was kooky and funny and outspoken. Loved her family loved GD loved gatherings of family and friends and loved gambling too and she was very lucky!

Peggy touched so many lives in the best possible way

Years and years ago Peggy worked with a young man who was attending college and working 2 jobs… when Peg asked how school was going, he told her he was taking some time off. When she questioned why he told her he couldn’t afford to pay for that semester. I am sure I don’t need to tell you that Peggy and Chris immediately covered his tuition for that semester and every semester thereafter and he finished school. This was not an unusual occurrence as anyone who knows them will attest.

I met Peggy in 1986 in NY at Citibank and after she schooled me on a few things… She had me to the house for chicken cutlets and meatballs in sauce and to meet Chris, who as it turned out, knew my mother and had met me as an infant. BAM INSTANT FAMILY!

I eventually moved to Florida, but we stayed in touch and when their son Christopher moved to Florida to attend chiropractic school they planned to move to Fla as they wanted to be within a few hours driving distance. Peggy called me and asked what I thought about northern Florida and I said absolutely not! You must move to swfl where I am! and a week later they came down met with realtors and bought a house. JUST LIKE THAT!

My children Jaxon and Jayda were raised with aunt Peg and Uncle Chris. In fact, my son Jaxon was sitting at Peggys hospital bedside holding Uncle Chris’s hand when Peggy passed. Peggy and Chris were family, and it wasn’t until my children were older and trying to figure out family tree stuff that they became aware that Aunt Peggy and Uncle Chris were not birth/ blood family…but were better…they were family of the heart - chosen and loved beyond measure. When I was having my 4th heart surgery, I called Peg and Chris the night before to ask them if they would be my children’s guardians if something happened to me or I didn’t make it thru surgery. Of course, they said yes! Peggy told me later she never saw Chris pray so hard for someone’s health the way he did mine!

When I met my husband Dave…Peggy was so so thrilled. she was crazy about him and called him her boyfriend and he adored her right back!

Linda- Peggys BFF since childhood and her girls Donna Melissa and Jennifer and their children were family and the girls were the daughters Peggy never had. We all knew even if she was mad at you… she had your back always!

Peggy always opened her home and her heart to everyone; she shared her wisdom and life experience. She laughed and cried with you… sometimes at the same time

Peggy has been a very important part of my life for over 38 years. We talked on the phone pretty much daily, and she would always say “thank you for being my friend and my family”

I assure you Peg the honor and pleasure was mine. I will always love you and have a special corner of my heart to keep you with me always

I feel like a bright light has left this world and things are just a bit dimmer than they should be, but what gives me great comfort is that I know Peggy is the life of the party in heaven and singing Patsy Cline at full volume

I hope she knows how grateful we all are to have had her as part of our lives -. Peggy there will never be a day we don’t miss you. I love you my Pegalita.