Margaret Stiff "Peg" Stiff

1921 - 2014

Margaret "Peg" (Perkins) Stiff, 92, of Simsbury, beloved wife of 58 years to the late Victor O. S. Stiff, died Thursday, January 2, 2014 at John Dempsey Hospital. She was born June 1, 1921 in New Haven, daughter of the late Rowan and Marion (Dowkontt) Perkins and had lived in Honolulu, HI, Buffalo, NY and North Canton, prior to recently moving to the McLean Cottages in Simsbury. Peg was a veteran of World War II having served in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged as Lieutenant (JG). She was a graduate of Smith College. Mrs. Stiff was a Psychology Associate for Hartford Hospital for many years. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Canton Center. Peg enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Peg had many and varied interests. She enjoyed animals very much and loved raising her Puli dogs. She and her husband, Victor were active in The Puli Club of America where she served as past Historian, Newsletter Editor and served on the board as an officer of the club. Peg was also active in The Pilgrim Puli Club and The Puli Club of CT. They enjoyed attending and participating in dog shows and had numerous trophies, ribbons, pictures and memories of their wonderful dogs' achievements. Painting was a lifelong passion. Her home was full of wonderful paintings she had done. While living in Honolulu, Peg took painting lessons by the now renowned painter, John Pike. Peg enjoyed traveling with her beloved husband, Victor. They traveled to numerous dog shows across the country and they also enjoyed vacations to Europe and Switzerland. Peg also had an adventurous side to her. She even took airplane pilot lessons. In her early years, Peg suffered a great tragedy by the early passing of her father. Her grandparents were very supportive and assisted her mother in raising Peg and her brother, Rowan. They traveled a great deal spending most winters in Sebring, FL. Summers were spent in Lithia, MA where her grandmother ran Mountain Rest, a summer home for missionaries. She is survived by her seven nieces and nephews, Carol Landis of Manchester, MO, Katherine Lafferty of Henderson, CO, Rowan Perkins of Stevensville, MD, Eric Perkins of Elkton, MD, Patricia Waldorf of Newark, DE, Dan Perkins of Bear, DE and Shelley Perkins Foster of Wilmington, DE and her and Vic's longtime friend, Stephen Jackson. There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be celebrated Thursday, January 9th, 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church of Canton Center, 184 Cherry Brook Road in Canton Center. Private burial will be held in the Goshen, MA cemetery in the spring. Memorial donations may be made to the James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 or to the Puli Club of America Rescue Trust, c/o Linore Cleveland, Treasurer, 105 Hopi Way, Kerrville, TX 78028-8833. Please visit Peg's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.