Margaret "Peggy" Whitley

Margaret “Peggy” Whitley, 70, of Roswell, passed away on May 5, 2015, in her home with her family by her side. Peggy was born to Arthur and Annette Larson on March 15, 1945, in Bloomer, WI. She spent most of her grade school years in Wisconsin, and she graduated from Austin E. Lathrop High School in Fairbanks, Alaska in 1963. Peggy was a Roswell resident, for the last 45 years. She married the love of her life, Ronald Whitley, on June 13, 1979, in Roswell where the two made their home and raised their family. A loving wife and mother, Peggy took great care in making a home, where her family and friends loved to spend their time. She believed in the importance of family and was often the organizer of family events and holidays at her home. Her children and grandchildren remember her love and guidance. Peggy was a strong woman and was thought of as the "rock" of the family. Her love for people, as well as her kind and caring heart showed in the work that she did. For many years, Peggy was employed as a waitress in Roswell, most notably at Denny's on 2nd and Main, and at the Roswell Inn. Her customers knew her for the excellent service she provided, always with a smile, her beautiful spirit, and the rapport she established with people. Many customers became lifelong friends of Peggy's. Her co-worker's also loved and enjoyed working with her. When she was not working, Peggy enjoyed taking trips in the RV, around the mountains of New Mexico with her husband, daughter and their best friends. She looked forward to traveling to Arizona once a year to see her boys. Peggy was talented at painting and firing ceramics and enjoyed all types of crafting. During the summer, she would tend her vegetable garden with the same love that she put into everything and always had a good harvest to show for it. She loved taking long walks in the park with her Chihuahua, Mollie. Peggy was always busy in the kitchen. She made the most amazing meals and baked goods - always plenty of them! No one ever left her house hungry, and if they did, it was their own fault. A member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Roswell, Peggy was known for her steadfast faith and devotion to our Lord, Jesus Christ. She was active in fellowship and Bible study groups and volunteered with other members of the church in the Community Kitchen, at the annual pumpkin patch, and VBS. Peggy’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the health care professionals who cared for our mother. Especially, Dr. Chechani, the staff at Lincare, the ICU nurses, and the respiratory therapists who cared for her during her stay at ENMMC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for providing excellent care to our mother who is deeply loved and missed. A memorial service is scheduled on Saturday, May 23, 2015, 10:00 AM, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Immediately following the memorial, there will be an interment of ashes for Peggy and her husband, Ron in the Memorial Garden at St. Mark's. Peggy is preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Whitley; both maternal and paternal grandparents; her father, Arthur Larson; mother, Annette Miller; stepfather, Lyle Miller; stepbrother, Walter C. Miller; and stepson, David Whitley. Survivors of Peggy include: son, Robert Wells and his wife Sonya Cangemi, of Mesa, AZ; son, Brian Wells, of Phoenix, AZ; daughter, Aletha Whitley, of Roswell, NM; stepson, William Whitley, of Silver City, NM; step- daughter, Donna Whitley, of Silver City, NM; sister, Karole Walla and husband Leonard, of OroGrande, NM; brother, Jerry Miller and wife Jan, of Forney, TX; sister, Judi Christensen and husband Jon, of Arlington, TX, and her aunt, Eleanor Springer, of New Richmond, WI. Others remaining to carry on her legacy are: 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories of Peggy with her family in the online register at andersonbethany.com. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Margaret "Peggy" Whitley

March 15, 1945 - May 5, 2015