Peggy Lou Dickey

was born on September 24, 1933 in Dunkirk, New York. She passed away on October 3, 2011 following a brief illness. Her passing came just two months following the death of her husband of 53 years, Elmer Edward Dickey, who passed away on August 2, 2011. Peggy and Elmer were married in January 1958. They started their family in Long Beach, California, eventually settling in McKinleyville, California where they raised their four children and started their business partnership, Rich Well Drilling. In the early years of their business, Elmer worked long hours, drilling wells often in remote locations of Northern California and Southern Oregon. Peggy was an accomplished multi-tasker; she managed the business office, the family home, and attended all of the kids' sporting events and extracurricular activities. Yet somehow she always managed to provide a hot meal at dinnertime. Peggy and Elmer instilled a deep and abiding work ethic in each of their children. The family business continues under the ownership of their two sons, Stanley and Stuart Dickey. Their oldest son, Andy, worked in the family business from the early age of 13 until his early twenties when he went on to establish his own business, Cabinets by Andy. Andy's successful entrepreneurial business venture is a tribute to his loving parents and the values they instilled in him. Teresa and her husband, Marc Wright, also established a successful business partnership. Teresa followed in her mother's footsteps by providing behind-the-scenes support for Marc's business, Wright Way Fabrication, which they sold in 2006. Peggy was affectionately known as "Grandma Peggy" to many residents of McKinleyville, their children, and their grandchildren. She was very involved in her community and was instrumental in sponsoring a McKinleyville Little League team which was named for the family business, Rich Drilling. Each of her sons, Andy, Stanley, and Stuart, played on the Rich Drilling team, which she actively sponsored beginning as early as 1969. The team lives on today and until recently was coached by her son, Stanley. Peggy also started the snack bar at the Little League field and spearheaded fundraising efforts by selling fireworks for several years. Peggy decided that McKinleyville's Pop Warner football teams would benefit from the addition of cheerleaders, so she made it happen. Her daughter, Teresa, benefitted from Peggy's efforts and continued in dance and cheerleading throughout her high school years. Peggy was a long-time member and treasurer of the McKinleyville Nazarene Church. She was a deeply spiritual woman who was very involved in her church. She was founder of the Noah's Ark preschool, which, at the time, was affiliated with the church. All of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended the preschool which "Grandma Peggy" proudly founded. Peggy was a regular attendee of the Tuesday Bible Study group that was held at Esther Holmes' residence, until her husband's health issues and her caretaking duties prevented her attendance. Peggy was very active in the McKinleyville High School Grandma and Grandpa's Club and was often seen taking tickets and selling concessions at various high school events. Peggy and Elmer were honored to be selected as Grand Marshalls of the McKinleyville Pony Express Parade in 1996. For the past several years, Peggy was a member of the Board of Directors for Adult Day Care of Mad River Hospital. She was proud of the work that she did on the Board and continued to serve until her own health issues prevented her continued participation. Peggy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 53 years, Elmer Edward Dickey. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Elma and Rolland Rich and by her sister, Betty Lake. She is survived by her brother Walt Rich, her sister Marilyn Cary, her children, Andy Dickey and his wife, Elizabeth; Stanley Dickey and his wife, Lura; Stuart Dickey and his wife, Lisa; and Teresa Wright and her husband, Marc. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Erin Mikolai and her husband, Tim; Rolland Dickey; Andrew (Buddy) Dickey and his wife, Nichole; Ryan Dickey and his wife, Melissa; Tyla Wright and her fianc‚, Jasper Brodie; Morgan Wright; John Dickey and his fianc‚, Danielle Baca; Eric Dickey; Katelyn Dickey; and Meryn Dickey. Great-grandchildren Theresia Dickey, Lucas Dickey, and Natalie Dickey. Peggy is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Humboldt and the staff of McKinleyville Timber Ridge, where she spent the last three weeks of her life. Public visitation will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011 from 12:00 to 7:00pm. at Sanders Funeral Home, 1835 E Street in Eureka. Services will also be held at Sanders Funeral Home on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 11:00am. Family, friends, and loved ones are invited to attend a gathering in Peggy's honor to be held following the service at the home of her daughter, Teresa Wright, 1906 Baird Road, McKinleyville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Adult Day Care of Mad River Community Hospital, P.O. Box 1115, Arcata, CA 95518, in keeping with Peggy's wishes to graciously support the organization that gave so much to her and her husband. Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.