Peggy Fagley

Margaret C. Fagley, lovingly known as "Peggy," was born in Traverse City, Michigan, in 1938 to Virginia Chance and Donald Devendorf. She graduated in 1956 from Grandville High School, near Grand Rapids, MI. After two years at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Peggy's secretarial skills took her to working at the Westinghouse Corp. in Washington, DC. Two years later in 1962 she met her husband-to-be, Larry Fagley. In 1964, they were married at National Baptist Memorial, a famous landmark church in DC. The couple and their growing family resided in Tacoma Park, MD, for 4 years, Rockville, MD, for 45 years, and Landisville, PA, for 9 years. In 2022 they moved to their new home in Clearwater, FL, to be near their two daughters. Peggy and Larry were married for 59 years.
Music was an important and special part of Peggy's life, from playing the violin in her high school orchestra, to singing for special events, weddings, and as a soloist in her church choirs. Her talents and love for music brought her to the Paul Hill Chorale in Washington, DC, one of the country's premier vocal groups. She sang with them for seven years, performing multiple times at the Kennedy Center. She also served as secretary to the chorale's founder and director, Paul Hill. In her church choir in DC, she was a featured soloist both in person and on a professional music album they recorded.
During her working career, Peggy served in several administration positions, including as a personal secretary to Jerilyn Ross, founder and director of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Ross was also the author of Triumph Over Fear, which Peggy helped to edit. She also edited and typed several papers and articles for various other professionals during her career. Outside of her love of family, reading was a deep passion of hers. Peggy accumulated a large library of books and magazines. Among family and friends, she was admired for the detailed highlighting, note making, and reviews on most everything she read. She loved to sit one on one and share information on these subjects she had studied. Toward the end of her working career, she enjoyed being in her good friend Carol's consignment shop and working, organizing, or doing whatever needed to be done. Peggy was a natural born teacher, an organizer, an admirer of antique furniture, a seamstress, and a lover of trees and golden retrievers. She enjoyed traveling with Larry to watch him perform in Barbershop musical conventions and concerts in numerous cities for many years. Most of all, she was a wonderful and dedicated friend, mother, and wife. Her presence and wisdom is deeply missed by us all.
Peggy is survived by her husband, Larry, of Clearwater, FL. She is also survived by their daughters, Jill Baetzhold and Heidi Thweatt; Heidi's husband, Charley Thweatt; and her grandsons, Skylar and Garrett Baetzhold, all residing in the Clearwater area. Peggy is also survived by her Aunt Joyce Burrows of Williamsburg, MI; and several cousins.
A private family memorial celebration is planned. Peggy's family and friends are scattered throughout the country. She can best be remembered by a donation to the Alzheimer's Association of America, Donor Services, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 (800-272-3900)