Marguerite "Peggy" Long

Marguerite Long, “Peggy”, age 89, passed away at Willow Creek Adult Family home in Port Orchard on April 21, 2016 due to complications from a Stroke and Alzheimer’s Disease. She was born on January 4, 1927 in Seattle, Washington to Marguerite and Myron Long and had 2 younger brothers, Ron & Dick. She married Ernest Schramm on October 30, 1945 and had 3 children: Linda Sommer (Donald), of Bremerton, Chris Schramm (Lisa) of Kenmore and Peggy Gillard (Tom) of Port Orchard; 7 Grandchildren Amie Sommer-Huff (Matt), Ryan Corey Sommer (Melissa), Alex Talkington (Josh), Adam Schramm, Nathan Gillard (Sara), Brett Gillard, Nicholas Gillard; and 4 Great-Grandchildren Alivia & Ryan Huff and Claire & Cade Sommer. She was preceded in death by Brothers Ronald and Dick Long, and Granddaughter Nicole Gillard.

Peggy spent the majority of her life in Port Orchard. She was primarily a homemaker while raising her family and loved to cook and entertain. The Holidays were our favorite time of year. Mom would bake, and bake, and bake some more to make sure everyone had their favorite Christmas goodies. Plates of treats would go with Dad to work and our Christmas Breakfasts became the tradition we would hold to for many years.

Of course her talent for decorating and crafts showed well during birthdays and holidays too. We would gather around the table as Mom would show us how we were going to decorate the Christmas tree that year and we would usually be making many of the decorations ourselves. There was a beautiful tree the year Linda and Don were married using left over white doves and beautiful burgundy ribbons. We had a Bicentennial Tree in 1976 with red, white, and blue decorations, then there was the year we used styrofoam balls and we had all kinds of beads, sequins, glitter and ribbons to decorate them….

She volunteered at Frank Givens Elementary School and worked for the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce which spilled over into helping with many Fathoms of Fun celebrations in the late 60’s and early 70’s. She enjoyed working at Barbara Best Fashions and helping out at the Mariner’s Mug. She also spent some years working at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

An active member of Harper Evangelical Free Church since 1963, she spent many hours working in the kitchen, with Women’s Ministry, and was the church Secretary for a time, as well as the Wedding Coordinator, taught Sunday School and served in many roles over the years.

She enjoyed music, dancing, reading, and poetry. Loved working in the garden, a talent that she got from her parents. Her love of God, the importance of family and friends, and giving back to the community were values she lived out in her life. As her children grew and left home, she took a class on writing and became active in Volksmarching, a non-competitive fitness walking where she earned pins and patches from the different walks she took. She also took up tole painting, which she enjoyed.

John 14:1-4 says, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

We Love You Momma…..we will see you again in “The sweet by and by”.

Memorial services will be held at Harper Evangelical Free Church, 10384 SE Sedgwick Road, Southworth, Washington on May 21st at 4:30 pm. This will be a time of celebration followed by lots of food, of course just like she would do!

Memorials can be made to Harper Evangelical Free Church “Kitchen Fund” in memory of Peggy Long.