Peggy "Ladyday" Gerring, 97, of South Boardman, passed away Jan 24, 2020 at her home.
Peggy was born in Kingston-Upon-Thames, England, on Mar 10, 1922 to the late William and Elizabeth (Hursey) Sylvester. At an early age Peggy learned how to knit, which would occupy many happy hours later in her life.
She left school at the age of 14 to begin work in various occupations, including spark plug factory, hospital laundry, pickle factory, and during WWII, at a munitions factory.
Peggy met her future husband, Wendell Gerring, in 1942, and they were married on Dec 4, 1943 at St. Peters Church in Kingston, England.
In April 1946 Peggy began her journey to the United States with her 16 month old son, Terry, crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Mary. Peggy and Wendell moved into their home on East Main St, which Wendell finished building in Sep of 1947, where she resided until her passing.
As an early member of the South Boardman American Legion Auxiliary, Peggy helped with the numerous Thursday dinners and funeral luncheons, as well filling the office of chaplain. Peggy also served as a room mother at the South Boardman Elementary School.
Peggy loved baking and sharing her baked goods, especially coconut cakes and no-bake cookies. She enjoyed bowling and rolling the dice at Bunco parties. Her passions included, a love of children, knitting, singing, and letter writing.
Her delight in singing began at an early age when she would sing to the boarders at her grandmother's boarding house in England. Throughout her life, singing brought much joy to herself, family and friends.
Until the day before her passing Peggy was still singing her favorite songs, including a heartfelt rendition of "I love you a bushel and a peck."
Holidays were important to Peggy, especially Christmas. She often recollected her childhood Christmases in England, where the present of a penny and an orange was common. Gift giving and providing for her family gave her great satisfaction. Each year she upheld her father's tradition of making the Christmas pudding. Peggy got into the spirit of Halloween, dressing up in costume and providing lots of candy. She certainly loved her sweets, particularly ice cream. In her later years Peggy spent many hours knitting hats and scarves and never missed an episode of Wheel of Fortune and Lawrence Welk.
Peggy is survived by six sons, Terry, Allan (Evelyn), Brian (Benda), Roy, Ross and Scot (Kim), all of South Boardman; and two daughters, Maureen (Gordon) Sparks, of Cadillac, and Loretta (Paul) Schaefer, of South Boardman. She is also survived by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell in 1997; her brother, George in 1940; and her granddaughter, Jessica in 1993.
The family would like to thank her grandson, Todd, for his kind attention during her final illness.
Funeral services will be held at the South Boardman Methodist Church on Sat, Feb 1, at 11 am, with visitation from 9:30 to 11 am Minister Fred Jacko will officiate. A luncheon will follow at the South Boardman Senior Center.
The family is being served by Kalkaska Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
