Peggy Louise Howard was born in Doty, Washington in February, 1938 to Ed and Bessie (Miller) Howard. She grew up in Dryad and graduated from Pe Ell High School in 1956.
Peggy married Rueben Oster that same year and they had one daughter, Sandi. Peggy and Rueben eventually divorced. She lived in Aberdeen, Dryad, Reno, and Seattle until the mid 1970’s. At that time, she and her husband, Dan, built a house on her parents’ property in Doty, a dream come true for her. Peggy loved living there on the river just down the field from her parents. She was able to spend more time with her parents and helped her mom after her dad got sick.
After her father’s death and her mother got sick and could not live alone any longer, Peggy sold both of their homes and moved into Centralia. She took care of her mom for several years. It was a hard job but she loved being able to do for her mom and give her a warm, caring home like she had done for her.
Peggy enjoyed taking care of others and found her calling. She was also a caregiver for a few other people for several years after her mom’s passing. Peggy moved to Idaho and lived near her brother for about 6 years. As her health declined, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law in Winlock. Peggy went to be with the Lord on March 30, 2023 at Brookdale Vancouver Stonebridge Memory Care Facility.
Peggy loved to dance and would often go to dances at Claquato as a teenager. In her later years, she joined the Boots N Buckles country dance group in Centralia and loved learning different line dances. She also enjoyed gardening, home decorating, and the rain. Flowers made her smile and her green thumb worked its magic. She enjoyed spending time attending baseball games watching her nieces and nephews play. Her joy came from her two granddaughters. She loved having them out to her home and spoiling them. After they moved to California, she made sure to go down there as often as possible and spend time with them. Her dogs also brought her a lot of joy especially when she got older and lived alone. They were her daily snuggles and hugs.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Monty, nephew Tony, and niece Teresa. She is survived by her daughter, Sandi (Terry) Andrus, granddaughters, Holli (Bryan) Moore, and Amber (Jim) Brueggeman; several great grandchildren; a brother John (Athea) Howard, and several nieces and nephews. Peggy will be missed by her family.
Arrangements are handled by Cattermole Funeral Home. Her graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on April 6, 2023, at the Doty Cemetery.
