Peggy and her identical twin sister were born at Arnold Gregory Hospital in Albion, NY on February 12, 1938. They were born six minutes apart, weighed four pounds each and were two months premature. Her twin sister was named Alice Elizabeth and was born first, while she was named Harriette Margaret. Both girls were named after their grandmothers. Being premature there were some health challenges, especially for Peggy. But their Aunt Helen, the head nurse at the hospital, gave Peggy drops of whiskey to stimulate her immature lungs and a cough which got her breathing properly – and for that she was always grateful.

She grew up on Erie Street in Albion, NY and had a pleasant childhood. Her sister Jane joined the twins a year later in 1939 and along with their grandfather Downey and parents, they were a family of six. The sisters had many friends on their street and excelled in school and sports as well as sang in the choir at church. After high school, Peggy received a scholarship to nursing school at Genessee Hospital and both she and Elizabeth went to school there to become Registered Nurses.

During school, Peggy met Gerry Pieters at a hockey game at Rochester War Memorial in February 1959. While Gerry and his friends went out to get refreshments, Peggy and her friends accidentally sat in the guy’s seats and when they returned, they had a good laugh over the mix up. After the game they invited the girls to a place called Mickey’s for a beer and a sandwich. Gerry called Peggy a few weeks later to invite her to a fraternity party at the University of Rochester and they hit it off well. In May of 1959, at the U of R spring weekend, Gerry gave Peggy his fraternity pin, which meant they were engaged to be engaged. In September of 1959, Peggy graduated from nursing school and Gerry took her out to dinner to celebrate and asked her to be his wife. She of course said yes, and they were married a year later in September of 1960. They enjoyed their honeymoon in Cape Cod.

Thirteen months later the children came along. First Kimberly Jane in 1961, then Gerald Ross, Jr. in 1963 and Steven Mark in 1964. They lived together in a mobile home and then a house in Carbondale, IL while Gerry was finishing his Master’s degree and PhD at Southern Illinois University. After graduation they moved to Corning, NY and then to Cupertino, CA where Gerry was transferred for work. Peggy was a devoted mother to the children, life partner to Gerry, and a great homemaker. She was a fantastic cook and skilled baker, especially in making pies like her mother. Peggy was gifted in hospitality, and she made many wonderful meals for family and friends over the years. It wasn’t unusual for the kids to come home from school, and she had already started cooking a roast for dinner and was taking cookies out of the oven. We ate way too many cookies, but she often pretended she didn’t notice and let us spoil our dinner a little. She spoiled her kids and husband in many different ways.

Peggy liked to sew, bake, and cook and she was a voracious reader. She would bake Christmas cookies with the grandchildren every year, which was a tradition that they all enjoyed and kept up for many, many years. She loved to go out to lunch with friends and take walks regularly with our dogs. And she loved spending time visiting the elderly. She would spend hours visiting and talking with them in nursing homes.

After the kids got older, Peggy and Gerry moved to Sun Lakes Arizona to a retirement community which was close to where their daughter Kim and family lived. They had a very active life there in an adult community with many friends. It was considered fortunate to be invited to one of their many parties where they cooked all their favorite appetizers and offered plenty of cocktails and wine. They both really enjoyed entertaining. They also traveled regularly to visit family in California and New York, took a cruise to Alaska and regularly flew over to their favorite place in the world, Napili Kai Beach Club on Maui. The whole family would vacation there every two to three years and have cherished memories of their parents and their experiences. Peggy and Gerry’s investment in that resort will continue to provide a treasured family vacation spot and a legacy for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren for many years to come.

Mom was an extremely caring and giving person. She always let her family know how much she loved them and was fiercely protective and supportive of them throughout their lives. If she was in your corner, you knew she would always have your back no matter what came up. Her family and friends all felt deeply loved and cared for. When asked how she would like to be remembered, Peggy said “She completely loved her family and, of course, husband and she always tried to be fair in her decisions whenever possible.” Based on the letters of support coming in from family and friends since her death, she will not only be dearly missed but that is exactly how she will be remembered.

Peggy passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, April 16th 2024 in Queen Creek, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her husband Gerry, who passed away on April 23rd 2017, by her son-in-law Andy (Kim's husband), who passed away on Aug. 8th 2013 and by her identical twin sister, who passed away two days before she did, on April 14th 2024. Peggy is survived by her daughter Kim and her grandchildren Kelli and Michael; her son Gerry Jr., daughter-in-law Cossy and her grandchildren Hannah and Dominic; her son Steve, daughter-in-law Carolyn and her grandchildren Nathan and Nicole; Nicole’s husband Joe and her great grandchildren Eli and Maddie. She is also survived by her younger sister Jane.

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