Arizona Obituary Archive

Search      Post Obituary


Peggy Ann (Phalen) DePuydt

Posted 2020-01-13 by mhenderson
Published in Today's News-Herald on Jan. 12, 2020 -
Lake Havasu City, Arizona -
(personal article, page 6A)

It is with great sadness that the family of Peggy Ann DePuydt
announces her passing at home on January third at age 87. Peggy will
be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, a community
activist and author.

Peggy was born at home on December 14, 1932 in Nahma, Michigan to
David and Rose Phalen. She worked for many years as Executive
Secretary for American Motors Corporation and retired in 1988. At that
time, she and her husband, Richard, a Michigan State Police Sgt.,
relocated to Lake Havasu City where she became active in the community
joining the congregation of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and
becoming Chairman of the Lake Havasu Beautification Committee.

During her tenure as Chairman, she oversaw the landscaping of the U.S.
Post Office and established the Welcome signs on the north and south
sides of the city. Time Capsules initiated by Peggy live under the
Welcome Signs she established.

Her life was fully lived and her roles were many. She was an
accomplished organist and served two parishes in Michigan for over
twenty years. She owned and operated a successful business, Peggy
Dee’s Dress Shop, in Iron River, Michigan for several years before her
move to Lake Havasu City. She gave her time to Special Olympics and
was a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She was Vice President of the Lake
Havasu Republican Women and also Second Vice President of the Arizona
Federation of Republican Women.

One of Peggy’s greatest joys was writing. As a published author, Peggy
wrote six books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her last book, The
Closer, was a meticulous reconstruction of a tragic event in Lake
Havasu City history. In addition, she wrote multiple interesting and
heartwarming essays for the “Your View” column in the Today’s News
Herald.

She is survived by: Son, Thomas (Amy) Depuydt, Lake Havasu City.
Daughters Jody A. Tousignant (Mark) and Richelle D. Gagne (Gary) of
Iron River, Michigan and Glenna J. Hale (Alan) of Milan, Michigan, one
brother, Michael (Wray) Phalen of Diamond Springs, California, one
sister, Rose (Curtis) Beauchamp of Nahma, Michigan and seven
grandchildren, two great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Upon her passing, Peggy will be rejoined with her husband, Richard J.
Depuydt, who passed in 2009, her infant son, Richard Kent Depuydt
(d.1953), her father, David Phalen, (d.1970), her mother, Rose Phalen,
(d.1995) and brothers, David, Patrick and Clinton Phalen.

While Peggy will be deeply missed by her family and friends, she will
always be dearly remembered for her energy, intellect and poise but,
foremost, for her warmth and laughter.

She will be interred in the Baldwin Township Cemetery in Perkins,
Michigan next to her husband and infant son.

Per her request, there will be no services. Thoughts and condolences
may be sent to the family through Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home at
www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. To send a card go to
www.sendoutcards.com/lietzfraze.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Lake Havasu City Beautification
Committee.

See Also: Find A Grave




Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.

Questions About This Project?