Peggy S. Hanniford would like to let you know that her work here on earth is done. She has retired this place! More on her retirement and relocation in a moment, first here are some important details.
To celebrate Peggy’s life (that important dash between the dates), friends may greet the family from 1 - 3 p.m. Saturday March 31, 2018 at the Egelhof, Siegert and Casper Westview Funeral Home and Crematory, 2659 Kennedy Road. There will be a service immediately following at 3:00 p.m. The Rev. Ms. Karen Candee of Summitt UCC in Dubuque will officiate. Burial of cremains will occur in a private ceremony later.
And now, the rest of the story…
On March 27, 2018 Peggy took mortal leave of her residence in Dubuque, Iowa. Born on November 22, 1945, she was with us an impactful 72 years when she received a call from the angels. It seems The King wanted her to come home and join His Easter celebration. Fitting, as spring and Easter were two of her favorite times of the year.
It’s an appointment from which she will not be returning. And she apologizes for that inconvenience. Not really. Would you? This opportunity comes with some BIG PERKS like being in the blessed presence of Jesus and a reunion with family (her dad and mom!) and friends. Laughter, love, reading to her hearts content, and her favorite MUSIC are guaranteed. Although she will miss her son Chef Patrick’s cooking, the food in Heaven is tasty and a soul never gains an ounce!
If you didn’t know Peggy, you missed someone special. She was blessed with copious amounts of love; genuine to a fault; a gentle Christian soul; a deeply devoted daughter; a loving, giving, and comforting mother; a sassy but tender big sister; a dedicated teacher and Head Start Director at Operation: New View Community Action Agency (38 years!); a true and loyal friend; and a beautiful grandmother. Peggy would tell you always say please and thank you….be kind and people will like you better. And never stop smiling.
Just when she thought she was too old to fall in love again, she became a grandmother, and her five grand-angels (Claire, Bella, Will, Olivia and Kate) stole not only her heart but enriched her life more than words can say. She always maintained that her greatest treasures called her Mema.
To the ones she loved the most: her beloved sons; her daughters-in-law (the daughters she always wanted and finally got); her grand-angels; The Brothers; and her many nieces and nephews, and friends – don’t cry because she’s gone. instead, celebrate her life, warmth, wit and wisdom, her laugh and that infectious smile (she loved to draw smiley faces) that she shared while she was with you.
Although she is gone, she’s never far away. Look for her when the sun rises over the mountains in Montana, or a beautiful evening sunset over a northern Minnesota lake, see her beauty in the earliest spring tulips and daisies to the fall mums. And if you’re lucky (or special) she’ll be that beautiful cardinal outside your window.
Love you forever; from here to infinity, mom, sister, grandma (Mema) and friend!
She is survived by her beloved sons Michael and daughter-in-law Cheryl (Hoffman) Hanniford of Altoona, Iowa, Patrick and daughter-in-law Jennifer (Juergens) Hanniford of Dubuque. She was the proud grandmother of Claire, Isabella, Will, Olivia, and Kate Hanniford. In addition, she is survived by her brothers Donald (Laurie) Potter II of Cook, Minnesota, Gregg Potter of Florence, Montana, Mark (Robin Steinkraus) of Polson, Montana, and Cort (Lynn Bradley) Potter of St. Ignatius, Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving parents Donald and Dorothy Potter.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Victoria O. Famuyide, DO and her staff for the wonderful pulmonary care they provided as Peggy learned to live with COPD. The family would also like to thank the medical staff at Grand River Medical Group, Finley UnityPoint, the ICU staff at Mercy Medical Center, and Manor Care in Dubuque. Your skilled and tender care gave us the gift of time.
Peggy was a giver to the those in need much of her life. In that spirit, and in lieu of flowers, memorials can be generously made to: Dubuque Mercy Health Foundation, 250 Mercy Drive Dubuque, Iowa 52001.