Decatur, Illinois

Decatur, Illinois
Curve-In, Fairview Avenue

Monday, July 2, 2018

Peggy Harper Passed Away in May


Peggy Harper's Douglas MacArthur High School 1965 Senior Class photograph in the Cadet.


We learned on July 2, 2018, that Peggy Harper had passed away earlier this spring. She had married to become Peggy Sipes, and moved to Springfield and Sarasota, Florida. Peggy was fairly active on Facebook, so when she wasn't visible any longer, Penny Pennington Taylor noticed it. And Penny and Millie alerted me to Peggy's possible passing.

A photo of Peggy, a few years ago, sent along by Charlene Mize Tuttle.



Peggy posted a pic of her sister Mary Anne, who passed away some time ago.



Peggy lost her son Brian, 18, to a tragic hiking accident when he was on vacation in California, May 23, 1984.


I found this obituary:

Rita Margaret "Peggy" Sipes 1947 - 2018
Sarasota, FL—Rita Margaret "Peggy" Sipes, 71, of Sarasota, FL passed away on May 14 [2018] at Doctor's Hospital in Sarasota. She was surrounded by her family.
Peggy was born February 24, 1947, first child for Rita & JD Harper of Decatur [Illinois]. She attended St. James & St. Teresa schools.
She married Tony Sipes & moved with her family to Springfield [Illinois} where she enjoyed a very successful career in Real Estate. Later she settled in Sarasota [Florida] where she continued to work in the banking side of real estate.
Peggy was the consummate hostess & loved to entertain.
She was a great cook. Her other interests included reading & spending time with her family. Peggy was an organ donor.
Peggy is survived by her husband, Michael Belsham of Sarasota; sons Terry Sullivan (Mary Kay) of Tuscon, AZ; Jason Sipes (Martha Demetrowitz) of Venice, FL,; sisters Susan Flynn (TR) of Decatur, IL; Jo Gildersleeve (David) of League City, TX.; granddaughter Emilee Allen of Taylorville, IL; grandson Conor Sullivan of Tucson; many nieces, nephews, great nieces & great nephews, and loving cousins all across the country.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, son Brian Sipes, brothers David & Christopher Harper, sisters Gloria Lightcap & Mary Anne Donnelly.
Burial services will be held at Calvary Cemetery in Springfield, IL on May 29 at 11 a.m.
Published in Print in The State Journal-Register from May 26 to May 27, 2018

It is wonderful to see she lived a full and happy life. Our condolences from the Class of 1965 to Peggy's loved ones and family.



1 comment:

honey678 said...

Dear Peggy, what is going on woman, we were supposed to meet up and cook a Sunday brunch. I understand that you were having problems with your cell phone service, as usual...lol...you always said, they all sucked...after leaving numerous text and voice messages for many months I thought it best to google you to find your new cell number...Talk about being shocked to find out that our brunch wasn't going to happen anytime soon. I can only say that I wish I had been with you in your last hours to make you laugh and hear your sense of humor as well. I will miss and love you for the great special woman that you are...oh..you stuck it out until a day after Mothers day...You always spoke of your children and loved them dearly...Most people say rest in peace, I say...Give Em Hell, Peggy Sipes, luv ya and miss our talks.