Margaret “Peggy” Jane Smith, 96, passed away peacefully Feb. 22, 2021. She was born in Haugen, Mont., to Eleanor and Floyd Crane. Peggy grew up in Missoula, Mont.
She attended Eastern Washington University where she met the love of her life, Tom Smith, who was the star of the EWU basketball team. Following college, they were married in Spokane, Wash., after which, Tom was signed to play with the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League. And while she drew the line at having the wedding ceremony at half-time, as one of the team’s owners suggested, she did honeymoon with Tom and the team on a West Coast basketball road trip.
After a few years in Waitsburg, Wash., Peggy and Tom moved to Chehalis where in 1951, Tom was hired as a teacher and coach of multi-sports at W.F. West High School. Peggy spent the remaining years of her life in Chehalis, Wash., a community she loved.
Peggy and Tom raised five children in Chehalis. When she wasn’t running a sometimes-hectic household, Peggy followed her passion for gardening, growing vegetables for her family, as well as beautiful flowers. Her gardening skills were widely admired. She also enjoyed her children, and later, her grandsons, along with playing bridge, art, traveling, reading, cooking “light”, camping, skiing, and of course, sports.
Peggy is survived by Tom, her husband of 74 years; children, Robyn, Greg, Carole, Jake, and Tim; and two grandchildren, Nick and Walker.
The family will hold a private celebration of Peggy’s life at her and Tom’s special place at Paradise, Mount Rainier.
