Margaret (Peggy) Mary Calton

On Saturday, May 25, 2024, Peggy Calton, loving wife, mother of three children, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren passed away at the age of 88.

Peggy was born Margaret Mary Middaugh on April 22, 1936, in Rockaway, NJ to Dennis and Margaret Middaugh. She was the third of four sisters. Soon after Peggy’s birth, the family moved to Jersey City, NJ, where she attended school, excelling in art and editing her high school’s yearbook. A talented seamstress, Peggy began sewing dresses for her sisters in her early teens, often pulling out stitches when she felt they were not up to her high standards.

While skating at the local roller rink she met the man that became the love of her life, James (Jim) Calton. Jim was drafted by the army and stationed at Fort Hood, TX, but he kept his sweetheart entertained by writing letters, stacks of which she kept for her entire life. Married in 1957, the couple welcomed their son Greg and daughter Jill soon after. The couple resided in Jersey City and then Parlin, NJ while he began a career working for the Bell System.

An opportunity to move to California arose and the young family settled in San Jose in the summer of 1963. Within a few years, the family grew again with the birth of another daughter, Margaret (Meg).

Peggy began a “temporary” job with Breuner’s furniture company in Campbell, CA and soon proved to be a great asset to the company. She was hired on permanently and worked for the company for close to 20 years before the company closed its doors. Shortly thereafter, Jim retired from his long service with the phone company.

Throughout life, nothing was more important to Peggy than her family and faith. As their children had grown and started families of their own, over the course of 15 years Peggy and Jim relocated several times to cities throughout Northern California; Brentwood, then Oakdale, and finally Chico, each time moving close to one of their three children. Peggy grew close to her grandchildren during this time, creating special memories with each.

Their retirement introduced a new lifestyle for Jim and Peggy, as they spent the next decade “road-tripping” between California and their condo in Venice, Florida. They cherished this opportunity to spend extended time with Peggy’s dear sister Pat and her husband, Ken Widmaier. The ladies had been nearly inseparable as children, and their time together for several months each year was a fitting way to spend their retirement. Fittingly, the sisters passed away within mere weeks of one another.

Finally, during their golden years, Jim and Peggy made one last relocation to the beautiful northwest, settling in Gig Harbor, WA.

A faith-filled woman, Peggy provided a strong Christian upbringing for her family. She set aside time each day devoted to prayer, seeking to provide comfort to family, friends and even new acquaintances with a sense of peace that could come only from God. Her life of service is honored by everyone in her family who recognize deep within themselves the gift of life and love she has given us.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James Calton, her father, Dennis, and mother, Margaret. She is survived by her three children, Greg (Patricia), Jill Clancey (Kevin), and Meg Vieg (Brendan); grandchildren Kayla Calton Ramirez (Nate), Megan Clancey Humble (Ben), Michael Clancey (Gretchen), Kaitlyn Clancey Hasse (Jake), Kelly Calton Morrow (Pete), Tatum, Shaley and Campbell Vieg. Great grandchildren are Noah and Theo Humble, Reagan and Rylee Ramirez, Colin, Caden, and Colette Clancey, Caroline and James Hasse, and Hazel Morrow.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Gig Harbor, WA at 10 o’clock a.m. followed by burial at Tahoma National Cemetery.

In keeping with Peggy’s genuine love of her country as well as her devotion to family, donations may be made in her name to the Tunnels to Tower Foundation (T2T.org)