Margarette “Peggy” (Howard) Denny passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022, at her home in Edmond, Oklahoma. On September 26, 1943, she was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Otis Edgar Howard, Jr. and Emma Jeanne May Howard.
Peggy attended Oklahoma City Public Schools and graduated from Northeast High School in 1961. She attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967. Peggy then enrolled at Central State University (UCO) and graduated with a Master’s Degree in 1972. Peggy never considered her education “complete” and always strived to improve herself. She continued her education by attending several other colleges and universities just for the learning experience.
Peggy began her teaching career in Dodge City, Kansas, in 1967, then moved back to Oklahoma City and began teaching at Lee Elementary School. She left Lee Elementary and worked at Bodine Elementary School in Oklahoma City. Peggy left Bodine and went to Eastside Elementary School in Midwest City until she became the President of ACT (Association of Classroom Teachers) for three years. Peggy retired in 1996. She was a member of OEA (Oklahoma Educators Association) and worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor in the summers.
Peggy loved children. She was a Special Education teacher and felt blessed to teach children who had some form of learning disability. She was devoted to her students. Peggy was chosen as one of Oklahoma’s best teachers. She loved watching sports and always attended her sons’ sporting events. She loved to read, travel, and spend time with her grandchildren.
Peggy is preceded in death by her parents Otis and Jeanne, brother James Paul Howard, husband Lawrence Denny.
She is survived by her brother Otis Edgar Howard, III; sons, Chad Chelf and wife Keri of Edmond and Cody Chelf of Oklahoma City; granddaughter Abigail Chelf; grandson Easton Chelf; step-grandchildren: Colt Clark and Adyson Thomason and husband Seth and their child Case; many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.
