Margaret "Peggy" Hamtil

Margaret "Peggy Jo" (née Barbee) Hamtil, 85, was born in Clinton, Missouri, on September 26, 1940, to Emmett Ashby Barbee and Margaret Agnes Barbee. Fortified recently by the Sacraments of the Church, she passed away peacefully in her home on August 31, 2026, surrounded by her family as the Rosary and prayers for the dying were recited for her.

Peggy was a devoted, lifelong Catholic and the beloved wife of Lawrence William Hamtil, M.D. (RIP), with whom she was blessed to share 53 years of marriage. Together, they raised nine children in Leawood, Kansas.

A former Benedictine Raven, Peggy later transferred to the University of Missouri–Columbia, where she met her future husband, Lawrence. She graduated with a degree in education and spent some of her early years teaching in the Raytown School District. While she took on many roles throughout her life—including serving her community as a Leawood committeewoman—her greatest vocation was that of wife, mother, homemaker, and heart of the home. She dedicated much of her life to raising her large family and creating a home in which faith, family, education, and charity were deeply valued.

From a young age, Peggy had a keen interest in public affairs and politics. As a young woman, she was selected to attend Girls Nation, an experience well suited to what would become her lifelong interest in government and civic life. She remained politically engaged throughout her life and was a passionate advocate for the unborn and the dignity of human life.

Peggy possessed an extraordinary memory and remained remarkably engaged with the world around her. She kept abreast of current events, loved a good political conversation, and could readily converse or debate on almost any topic. She cared deeply about her family, her Faith, and her country and held strong convictions about the things that mattered most. Even in her final days, she continued following the events of the day, sharing her thoughts, and enjoying the conversations she had always loved.

Those who knew Peggy also knew something even more characteristic of her: she had an extraordinarily big heart. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an ability to bring laughter to those around her, but perhaps her defining quality was the depth of her compassion for others.

The youngest of four children, Peggy lovingly cared for her own parents as they grew older. As a mother, she cared for each of her children with the same love and devotion. Later in life, she devoted herself to caring for her beloved husband, Lawrence, through many years of illness, remaining faithfully by his side until his death in 2016. Peggy understood what it meant to carry the Cross, and she did so with faith, perseverance, and love throughout the many circumstances of her life.

Through both her words and her example, Peggy taught her family the corporal works of mercy—the importance of caring for the sick, helping those in need, comforting others, and recognizing Christ in those placed in their path. Her family learned from her that charity was not simply something to be spoken about, but something to be lived.

As all women in the Catholic Faith aspire after the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, so did Peggy—and she came closer than many of us ever will. Peggy’s Catholic Faith remained the great constant throughout her life. In earlier years, she was a member of the Fatima Choir, and throughout her life she maintained a deep love for the traditions of the Church. She fought fiercely for the preservation of the Catholic Faith and its transmission to future generations. She understood the importance of prayer, the Sacraments, and the eternal destiny of the soul, and she passed that Faith on to her family. It was a legacy she regarded as far more important than anything material she could leave behind.

Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lawrence, and their infant daughter, Angelita Barbee Hamtil. She leaves behind her children, Sean Hamtil (Donis), Maureen Cleary (Jim), Heather Hamtil, Bridget Miller (Brad), Amie Hamtil, Brendan Hamtil (Maria), Therese Talarico (Mike), Laura Estudillo (Bobby), and Lawrence Hamtil (Renata), as well as her 46 beloved grandchildren, who were a great pride and joy in her life.

Peggy "Miggies" treasured visits from her grandchildren and delighted in spending time with them, playing games and teaching them to read. Scrabble was a particular favorite, and although her grandchildren tried valiantly to beat her, Peggy—with her remarkable vocabulary—was most often the victor. She loved her dogs and she loved football season, especially Kansas City Chiefs football!

After sharing more than five decades of marriage with Lawrence, Peggy carried his memory with her following his death in 2016. At the heart of their marriage was a shared understanding of its ultimate purpose: to help one another, and the children entrusted to them, attain Heaven.

Peggy and Lawrence believed deeply in the power of sacrifice and that suffering, when united with Christ, has purpose and merit. During the final years of their lives, they offered their sufferings for many intentions—for priests, for the needs of their family, and, above all, for the salvation of souls.

Whenever Peggy—or any one of us—was faced with a challenge for which there seemed to be no immediate answer, Mom was known to say, “Everything is okay for today.”

Her family will try to live in that same spirit, trusting that Our Father provides our daily bread and gives us the grace necessary for each day.

We now entrust Peggy’s soul to the mercy of God, praying that she may be reunited in Heaven with her beloved Lawrence, their daughter Angelita, and, one day, with all those she loved. This was the hope toward which she ordered her life and the great desire she held for her family: that all might persevere in the Faith and someday be together again in our eternal home.

In your charity, please pray for the repose of Peggy’s soul and for the consolation and strength of her family, that all may receive the grace of final perseverance.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we give our mother to You. Thank You for each day we were given with her.

Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with the praying of the Rosary at 6:00 pm on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, Missouri.

Peggy's Requiem Mass will begin at 10:00 am, Saturday, September 12 at St. Vincent de Paul Church, 3106 Flora Ave., Kansas City, Missouri, with burial to immediately follow in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd., Raytown, Missouri.