Margaret "Peggy" Kedzie Peck

Margaret Kedzie Peck, fondly known as Peggy, died January 2, 2024, at age 96, at her home at North Woods Village, Mishawaka, following a brief illness.

Peggy was born in Philadelphia on September 28,1927 and grew up in South Bend, Indiana, one of four children and a fraternal twin to her sister, Patricia. She met the love of her life, Bill Peck, when working at Wyman’s department store while she attended John Adams High School, and he, the University of Notre Dame. They were married in 1947 at St. Joseph’s Church and were active Catholics for their entire lives. They celebrated 64 years of marriage before Bill’s death in 2011.

Peggy was the beating heart of the family, the Churchill Drive neighborhood, the South Bend community, and all who had the good fortune to know her. She exuded joy and wonder at every life experience. Her kindness towards others was the result of a humble, giving nature. She had seven children and worked indefatigably to make them, her husband, and everyone around her happy. She was committed to lifelong learning, and was an avid reader her entire life, despite no formal college education (a huge regret in her life).  She served as a teacher to children in the Great Books program and was a strong proponent of education for her own children.  In service to the community, she was a member of the Junior League and Christ Child organizations for years. She and Bill sponsored many poor families through the St. Vincent de Paul charity and other local groups. Peggy was committed to battling racial injustice and was a civil rights activist in the 1960s, working on Bobby Kennedy’s presidential campaign.

Peggy’s Catholic faith was the foundation of her life, and she served as a lay minister while a member of St. Joseph’s parish, and later in life as a docent at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.

Peggy leaves her seven children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her children include Mary K. Kowals (husband Tony), Tom Peck (wife Margaret), Michael Peck (wife Martha), Betsy Peck Learned, Elliott Peck (husband Jack Jalette), Andy Peck (wife Barbara), and Martha Peck Pearce (husband Tim).

Visitation for Peggy will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024 from 5-7 PM at Palmer Funeral Homes - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Rd., South Bend, IN. and a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 9:30 AM at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame.

We will miss Peggy’s love, her light, and her never-ending kindness.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.