Marguerite Louise (Peg) McCormally, 93, died March 17 at her home in Burlington, Iowa. According to her eldest son, Sean, Peg’s death on St. Patrick’s Day was befitting “a 93-year-old German woman who raised a headstrong clan of Irish children with a boundless supply of love, a firm sense of right and wrong, and a relentless commitment to justice. She died in the same bed in which she was born 93 years ago.”
She was born Marguerite Wichert in 1923 in Emporia, Kansas, and worked as an elementary school teacher after earning degrees in education and psychology from Kansas State Teachers College (later Emporia State University). In 1947, she married John McCormally, left the classroom when their first son was born, and remained at home to raise seven children. John, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1965, credited Peg as his first editor. Together, they traveled extensively, investigated other cultures abroad, and with their children in tow, explored natural wonders and historic places at home.
The McCormallys moved to Burlington in 1965 when John became editor and publisher of The Burlington Hawk Eye. The family moved to a house on South Main at the entrance to Crapo Park. It was built on the shell of the 19th century Park Luncheonette. On Christmas Eve 1976, the two-story home was destroyed by fire; it was rebuilt in a modern style and Peg named it “Our Phoenix.” With her younger daughter in school, Peg earned a Child Development Associates degree and in 1969 became one of the first Head Start teachers in Burlington. She was also one of the longest-serving Head Start teachers in the nation when she retired after 19 years. “Mrs. Mac” continued as a volunteer at Head Start for many years thereafter. Peg and her husband attended President Jimmy Carter’s first state dinner at the White House in 1977 and two years later hosted President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, at their home when the President visited Burlington.
During her life, Peg was active in Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, 4H, PTA, the League of Women Voters, the United Nations Association, the Burlington Human Rights Commission, and as a representative on the Des Moines County Extension Board. She was a voracious reader and faithful to her spiritual practices including her daily praying of the rosary.
Peg was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. She is survived by six children, Sean, Kevin (Anne), Timothy (Judith), and Terence (Katherine), of the Washington, D.C., area, and Thomas (Carla) and Mariann (Charles Smith), of the Kansas City area, one Son-in-law Chris Hess of Duncansville, PA 14 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her youngest child, Megan; daughter-in-law Cynthia Mills; and two brothers, Jack and Frederick.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the family to receive friends following a 6:30 PM Rosary Service and Christian Wake Service until 8:00 PM Friday, March 24, 2017 at Prugh’s Chapel.
The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection for Peg McCormally will be 11:00 AM Saturday, March 25, 2017, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. A time of food and fellowship will be held in St. John’s Cafeteria following the service. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in Peg’s memory to the Friends of the Burlington Public Library Foundation.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Peg’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
