Margaret (Peggy) Anne Sowa, nee: Gackenheimer, was born October 9, 1945, in the Bronx, New York. She passed away on February 16th due to late-stage dementia/Alzheimer’s, surrounded by her loving family. Peggy grew up on Long Island in Amityville, New York. After graduating from Amityville High School in 1963, she attended Berkeley-Claremont Secretarial School in New York City. After a blind date with Paul Sowa in April 1963, they fell in love and were married in September 1965.
Peggy passionately embraced a career as an Army wife, supporting her husband through two wars, numerous moves and deployments while raising four children. Peggy gave 27 years of her life to support Paul during his service. While they don't put their life on the line, military spouses sacrifice a lot to support their partners decision to dedicate their life to military service. Following their retirement from the military, Peggy continued to be a devoted supporter to Paul in his roles as a division director at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo and associate laboratory director at the Los Alamos National Lab in New Mexico. She was most proud of her children, whom she loved unconditionally and supported through numerous sports, hobbies, and extracurricular activities. Her children’s successes in life can be credited in large part to Peggy’s continuous care and guidance. She was a role model to many; very humble, caring, thoughtful, and always available to listen. She never met a stranger. Her ability to connect with others and make lasting friendships was matched by few. Paul has always insisted that his career was “their career” and the successes and achievements are more attributable to Peggy than to himself.
She is preceded in death by her mother Grace, father Vincent, and brother Donald. She is survived by her husband of 58 years Paul, daughter Terri and her husband Ron, son Paul, son Ryan and his wife Michelle, son Chris and his wife Ashley, grandchildren Alex, Lauren, Abby, Evan, Sutton, and Ellis, siblings Jane and her husband Paul, Vinny and his wife Pat, Christine and her husband Peter, and Donald’s wife Mary Ann.
A visitation for Margaret will be held Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, TX 78734. A rosary service will occur Sunday, March 12, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM, 411 Ranch Road 620 South, Lakeway, TX 78734, followed by a Celebration of Life-Reception from 5:00 to 7:30 PM at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home.
A funeral service will occur Monday, March 13, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Emmaus Catholic Church, 1718 Lohmans Crossing Road, Lakeway, TX 78734. A committal service will occur Monday, March 13, 2023 from 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Fisher House Foundation (www.fisherhouse.org) and/or Tunnel to Towers Foundation (www.t2t.org). The family is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support, prayers, and kind words for our Peggy.
