Peggy Lucille Mcelmeel

Peggy Lucille McElmeel passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at the age of 76 years in Omaha, Nebraska.

Peggy was born in Piggott Arkansas on August 8, 1946, to Everett and Marge McKenzie. She moved to Rockford, Illinois with her family when she was 5 and graduated from Rockford West High School in 1964. She met her husband Pat later that year when she was cruising on Charles Street in her Chevy Malibu Convertible and honked her horn to get his attention. Peggy and Pat were married for 55 years and have two sons Charlie and Andy. Peggy proudly worked at Rockford Memorial Hospital for 26 years and spoke fondly of her co-workers and their many exploits. In addition to raising her sons, Peggy shared her love as a foster parent and raised her niece, Amy McElmeel. She was a long-time parishioner at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Loves Park. Peggy even coached fast pitch softball at Ken-Rock Community Center.

Peggy, Pat, and their son Charlie moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 2006 to be closer to their son Andrew and his children. Although she “hated” Omaha and missed her home on Currytail Close where she had lived for 21 years, she loved her grandchildren dearly, watched them daily and enjoyed attending their many activities.

Peggy is preceded in death by her mother Marge McKenzie; father Everett McKenzie; stepmother Julie McKenzie; brother Ralph McKenzie; and sister Frances Abrego.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Patrick; sons Charlie and Andy (Lindsay); grandchildren Andrew John, Sean, Ryan, and Molly; sister Scarlett (Marty) Siebel and her children Alex and Calvin; brother Skip McKenzie; many nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.

Though Peggy’s health was failing for many many years, her dedication to her family and indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 N. Rockton Ave. Rockford, IL 61103. A funeral Mass will follow on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 600 Clifford Ave. Rockford, IL 61111. Burial will conclude at a later date in Nebraska.

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