Peggy Rose Peckham

Peggy Rose Peckham, 98, passed away into the arms of her Savior on Tuesday April 11, 2023. Peggy was born to Lena Wegmuller Sanders and Virgil Lincoln Sanders in Detroit, MI. Her mother Lena, at age 3 immigrated to the United States from Switzerland with her parents. Peggy accepted Christ into her life in 1949, faithfully surrendered to Him.

Peggy became a Registered Nurse through serving in the Cadet Nursing Corps 1943-1946 supporting the War effort. She obtained a BSN in Nurse Education from Baker University in 1985. Peggy was blessed with a sharp mind, always reading, always interested in learning things new in the scripture and the world.

Peggy was also a teacher at heart, lovingly sharing her knowledge and passions with those around her. She taught Nursing at various locations. Peggy shared her love of Christ through leading Bible studies and Sunday School classes most of her life. She was often the source of medical information should anyone need advice or a band-aid from her always-stocked purse. Peggy also loved to share her many years of wisdom with her beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was never short on a great story to tell, lesson to teach, a challenging puzzle to solve, a game to play with the kids, a joke to share and always a good book. A skill carried down from her mother, Peggy also was an avid knitter. She created countless blankets, socks, and Christmas stockings over the years- a craft she was also able to share and pass along to several family members. An animal lover, Peggy cared for many pets over the years including her dear Mitsy, Angel, and recently, a tabby cat aptly named, well, “Tabby”.  She was never afraid of trying “extreme” sports from paragliding in the Alps at age 78 to riding a jet-ski for the first time at age 94, she was always up for a fun time.

Peggy married the love of her life George William (Bill) Peckham on Feb 17, 1950 and celebrated 53 years of marriage until Bill’s passing in 2003. Bill and Peggy had three children, William Daniel (Dan) Peckham of Wichita, Lucy Ann Peckham (deceased), and Meredith Gail Buchanan of Wichita.

Peggy touched countless lives serving as a Registered Nurse in Hospitals, in Pediatric Care, in Derby Public Schools, in Enid High School, Enid State School, in Family Practices in Oklahoma and Wichita, and as an Industrial Nurse at Boeing Wichita. She maintained her Nursing License until age 90. Peggy was Civil Defense Director of Nursing in Enid, Ok in the 1960’s.

Peggy and Bill’s home was always a welcoming and loving place of fun for many people and refuge for others whether strangers, friends, and loved ones. Bill and Peggy selflessly gave of themselves and their resources touching and changing lives of families for generations. Peggy poured out her heart in Godly purpose lifting the condition of countless people and families. They were both very active in their local church, Westside Church of the Nazarene in Wichita, KS serving in a multitude of ministries over the years.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband George William Peckham and daughter Lucy Ann Peckham. She is survived by son William Daniel (Dan) Peckham of Wichita and his son Jonathon Ulisse, Daughter Meredith Gail Buchanan (Gail) and husband Timothy J Buchanan of Wichita. Grandchildren Matthew William Buchanan (Lauren Gilmore Buchanan) of Wichita, and Emily Rose (Buchanan) Springer (Christopher Springer) of Charlotte, NC. Five Great grandchildren, “Mimi’s Darlings”, Olivia Adele Buchanan, Aubree Gail Buchanan, Addison Virginia Buchanan, Lena Marie Buchanan, and Levi Christopher Springer with Levi’s baby sister due in June.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with:

West Side Church of the Nazarene

2300 S. Seneca

Wichita, KS 67213