Longtime Vashon Island resident, Peggy Boe Stringfellow, passed peacefully on Monday, September 19th, one week following her 87th birthday at Tranquility Haven in Kennewick, Washington.
Peggy was born September 12, 1929, in Chehalis, Washington, to Margaret and Carl Boe. She grew up in Chehalis with her brother, Carl. Peggy lost her father to pneumonia when she was only 12 years old. Her grandmother moved in with their family and provided beautiful support while Peggy’s mom Margaret worked as a hairdresser.
Peggy then was blessed with a stepfather, Eugene Schwartz, who was a quiet man but a loving father. Upon high school graduation in 1948, she attended Western Washington College where she was an English major. It was during these college years that her brother introduced her to one of his friends, Bill Stringfellow. They “courted” and were married on July 21st 1951.
Peggy would say Vashon Island was her home. She and Bill moved to their ten acres in 1959. They raised their three children: Vickiy, Ted, and Russ on the island. Peggy prioritized volunteerism. She led Camp Fire Girls and Boy Scouts for her children. She always could be counted on as a “room mother.” Peggy was very dedicated to her Lutheran faith and she and Bill developed their lifelong best friendships with families at Vashon Lutheran. She devoted time and energy to Vashon Lutheran Church, Vashon Island Country Club and the Garden Club, and kept up her Senior Citizen Tax Aide credentials. In 1970 Bill accepted a job transfer to Atlanta, Georgia. Living in Georgia was an enriching adventure for the Stringfellow family . . . . coming from Vashon! Peggy and Bill moved back to the island in 1973, when they purchased the island’s Sears Catalog Store, which they successfully ran as partners for ten years. Peggy and Bill enjoyed a few years of retirement bliss before Bill passed away in 1993. Peggy continued to thrive in their home. She was always busy with gardening, chopping wood (to keep her electrical bill low — she was frugal), devising ways to keep the deer out of her roses and raspberries, volunteering, providing tax aide, reading, golfing, traveling, attending 5th Avenue productions with special friends, sharing her opinions (the good with the bad) camping at La Wis Wis and visiting her children and their families.
Much to her daughter’s delight and surprise, Peggy told Vickiy she wanted to move to the Tri Cities shortly after her 80th birthday celebration in 2009. Peggy bought a lovely new townhome in Kennewick on a golf course. She found a Lutheran Church to attend and participated in activities at the local Senior Center. She lived in Vickiy and John’s neighborhood and they made lots of memories during the last seven years. Peggy moved to an assisted living complex and lived her last two years at Tranquility Haven.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Margaret Schwartz (Eugene Schwartz, step father) brother, Carl Boe, and her husband of 42 years, John William (Bill). She is survived by her three children: Vickiy (and John) Van Beek, Ted (and Lori) Stringfellow, Russell (and Tracy) Stringfellow; her six grandchildren: Joshua Stringfellow, Tyler Stringfellow, Zachariah Stringfellow (Allyson), Levi Stringfellow (Stevie), Joshua Stringfellow (Ashley), and Dustin Stringfellow; and her great-grandchildren: Keegan, Tatum, and Sailor Stringfellow.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Peggy’s life will be held at Vashon Lutheran Church, 18623 Vashon Highway Southwest, Vashon Island, on Saturday,
October 29, 2016, starting at 1:00. Interment will be private. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon reception graciously provided by the Vashon Lutheran Church parishioners in the parish hall immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Fred Hutchinson
Cancer Research Center https://secure2.convio.net/fhcrc/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_api&s_src=web&s_subsrc=aegio3
Peggy will be missed, but the time spent with her is cherished, the memories made will last a lifetime, and the love for her will last forever.
