Margaret "Peggy" Denton

On February 4, 1942 Margaret “Peggy” Ann Louise Conlon was born to James and Margaret Conlon in Fall River, Massachusetts. She grew up on Charles Street and attended Catholic all girls schools, graduating from high school in 1961. She attended the local community college, graduating with an Associates Degree in Business. With 33 years of Federal Civil Service, Peggy served at the Naval War College, Newport News, Rhode Island; the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and the Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Washington. She rose from a GS-4 Clerk Typist to a GS-8 Secretary. She served her country, and she served it well. She loved her job almost as much as she loved life itself. Over the years, she received numerous performance awards – too many to list here. In 1997, Peggy was selected as Employer of the Quarter for the fourth quarter. Peggy met her future husband Michael Denton in April 1978. They were married at the home of Bill and Ann Denton (Mike’s parents) on Christmas Eve in McMinnville, Oregon. They lived with her mother, Margaret and two dogs in the Pacific Palisades above Pearl City, Hawaii. In April of 1981, Peggy and Mike returned to the continental United States after Mike retired from the Navy. For ten years, Peggy volunteered to organize a seafood buffet for up to forty people hosted by the officers of Naval Submarine Base, Bangor. Various tenant commands at Bangor would bid on the buffet at an auction in support of the Navy Relief Society. Over the years, under Peggy’s leadership, thousands of dollars were raised for this charity organization whose mission was to support sailors and their families in times of need. Peggy’s winsome smile and good nature were infectious for everyone she met, and she almost instantly became their new best friend. She was always calm and even tempered and seemed to take everything in stride, both at work and play. Peggy was good at playing poker, cribbage and gin rummy – and loved to play for money. She loved to travel, cruising and cooking. Peggy is survived by her husband Mike; three stepchildren, Michele Suarez, Becky Hasel and James Denton; her eight grandchildren, Trey, Kara, Cristina, Jacob, Kylie, Gregorio, Hannah, Ian and Lily; as well as three great grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held on October 19, 2019, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #2639, 352 E. Florence St., Stayton, OR 97383. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.