Margaret "Peggy" Markillie

1940 - 2025

Margaret "Peggy" Jeanne (Bellarts) Markillie, 85, passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, due to complications related to dementia.

Peggy was born on January 24, 1940, in Seattle, Washington, to Henry and Velma Bellarts. A longtime Richland resident, Peggy graduated from Columbia High School in 1958 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitworth College in Spokane.

In June 1961, she married W.R. "Bill" Markillie, and together they built a loving home and raised two sons in Richland. An active and devoted member of West Side Church, Peggy shared her faith through music, singing in the church choir and participating in countless church activities over the years.

Although she enjoyed traveling, singing, playing the piano and autoharp, and baking casseroles, Peggy's true calling was working with children. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and later found her greatest joy teaching preschool at West Side Preschool in Richland. She had a remarkable gift for connecting with young children, making each one feel important. Peggy had a song for every occasion, and she would share them with anyone at any time, much to the embarrassment of her own children.

Peggy was known for her warmth, hospitality, and generous heart. She loved having her boys' friends over to play and always went out of her way to make everyone feel welcome, loved, and fed. When she became a grandmother, her love for children seemed to multiply. Her home became a haven for activities, games, songs and stories.

After retirement, Peggy became part of a storytelling duo with Donna Jackson, and "Mother Goose and Mother Hubbard" hit all the libraries and birthday parties in the greater Tri-Cities area for years, sharing their crazy songs and stories to hundreds of children (and adults!).

Peggy remained in Richland following Bill's passing in 2008 and later moved to Ciel Memory Care in Kennewick, where she spent her final years surrounded by caring and compassionate staff.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Jeffrey & Meng and Paul & Kim, and four beloved grandchildren: Rebekah, John, Maya, and Hope.

Peggy will be remembered for her kindness, her laughter, her music, and the joy she brought to everyone around her-especially the children whose lives she touched. Her songs, stories, and spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.