Margaret "Peggy" Kelly

Margaret Ann Kelly, known as Peggy by the many that loved her, entered peacefully into eternal life January 5th, 2015. Peggy was born June 29th, 1947, the fourth of seven children to Mildred and Jerry Kelly of Des Moines. Peggy attended Visitation elementary school where she was crowned as their May Queen in her graduating year before going on to complete her high school education at St. Joseph Academy. Peggy attended Grandview College before transferring to St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. Peggy majored in Speech and Drama, and enjoyed performing in many theatre productions throughout both her high school and college years. Peggy planned to be a teacher, and that she truly became, but not in the way anyone had imagined. In 1968, as Peggy traveled to a student teaching job, a car accident would change her life drastically. Peggy, severely injured, spent years in intensive, ongoing therapy which involved the efforts of countless caring people in both her family and community. Peggy’s strong faith, courage and sheer determination allowed her to live in a facility designed for the handicapped for more than 30 years, with the support and help of her family. Eventually Peggy moved into The Bishop Drumm Care Center in 2007, where the staff quickly became her second family. Peggy enjoyed staying active with The Adventurer’s Club, Cursillo, Camp Sunnyside, and was able to work at the Easter Seals Center despite her challenges. But it was Peggy’s optimism, sense of humor and loving personality that we will always remember in our hearts. God had a different plan for Peggy than being a traditional teacher in the academic sense of the word. But teach she did, and we are all the richer for the lessons she taught. Peggy, we know you are in heaven with mom and dad, Mike and your best friend Jesus, dancing and singing with the Angels (and playing Crazy Eights every chance you get!) Rest in Peace Peggy… it is a rest that is well deserved.

Peggy is survived by her brothers John Kelly, Bob (Roxanne) Kelly and her sisters Kathy (Glenn) Custar, Mary Pat (Mike) Floro and Nancy (John Safarik) Valencia, sister-in-law Marylee Kelly, sixteen nieces/nephews and fourteen great nieces/nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Mildred and Jerry, brother Mike Kelly and nephew Adam Kelly.

There will be a rosary service at 4:30 p.m., followed by a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. A second visitation time will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., with funeral mass to begin at 9:30 a.m., Friday, January 9, 2015 at Our Lady of Peace Chapel, Bishop Drumm Care Center, 5837 Winwood Drive, Johnston. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Holy Family School Foundation, Easter Seals, or Bishop Drumm Care Center. Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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