"To the Beer Family,It's January 2017 and I still think of Peggy. She visited our small business in Pennsylvania and became our champion. Peggy helped us form a partnership and erased all doubt that things would work out perfectly. I channel her at times to help me push through challenges. I'm fortunate to have known her and I'm so sorry for your family's loss.Millie Bell"
In loving memory of
Peggy Anderson Beer
January 22, 1953 - July 3, 2008
Peggy Anderson Beer made an unexpected but not unbefitting departure from this world on July 3, 2008, while laughing and surrounded by loved ones. She was 55. Peggy was the beautiful and beloved wife of Gary Beer and mother of four children, Lindsey, Alexandra, Matthew and Kyle, and two shih tzus, Bentley and Isabelle. She is survived by her immediate family, mother in law, brothers and sisters by blood and marriage, and an immense extended family of friends old and new. Peggy touched the hearts and lives of countless people across the coasts. Born and raised in Grosse Point, Michigan, she moved to Boston at the age of 18 to steward during the heyday of Eastern Airlines, a job which allowed her to travel the world and even rescue orphaned children in India. She later married husband Gary and took residence in Washington, D.C. for several years before moving to Utah, their home of 18 years, and then back to D.C. for nearly the last decade of her life. During that period, she was primarily a devoted mother but also parlayed her love of real estate and unique talent for remodeling into a side career in commercial real estate. However, she will be best remembered not for what she did but for who she was: the life of the party; our fearless leader; an indomitable optimist with a contagious smile; a woman of great heart, warmth and generosity who went to extraordinary lengths to better the lives of those around her. Peggy had planned to retire in Jamestown, RI, a small island adjacent to Newport, where she and Gary were married. Accordingly, services will be held in St. Pauls Church, 12 Marlborough Street, Newport on Sunday, July 13 at 2:00pm. Burial will follow in Island Cemetery, Newport. Services are open to the public. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends make donations to the Utah SIDS Alliance c/o Ms. Lisa Hughes, 1760 American Park Circle, West Valley City, UT 84119.
Tributes
"Dear Beer Family: I only recently found out about Peggy's passing but was shocked and saddened greatly nonetheless. She was someone who greatly influenced my life during the five years I worked for Gary. We talked almost every day during that time and I came to love and and respect her advice, great humor and ability to stay positive in the face of all challenges. I'll always remember her wonderful laugh and how she cherished her family and friends. Even a year after losing her, I hope her family knows that she will not be forgotten by those who knew and loved her."
"peggy so funny, so pretty, you made life easier for a girl new to grosse pointe when we were 15. bright,warm,easy laughter. so sorry for your children."
"Dear Gary, My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family during this most difficult time. Sincerely, Alan"
"Dear Beer/Anderson Families, My heartfelt sympathy and thoughts are with Gary and Peggy's children as well as Peggy's brothers. I have known Peggy since 7th grade when we quickly became friends. I have many memories, pictures and stories of our past together but what stands out the most is how much she loved and adored her children. We would update each other and laugh for hours on the phone. I feel fortunate to have known Peggy. Her radiant, beaming smile exuded so much warmth. Her untimely death is a great loss to so many. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love Robyn Taylor and family"
"Dear Gary: I am so sorry to hear of Peggy's death and the tremendous loss you and your children are suffering. Please accept my deepest sympathies."
"Gary, My condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers."
"Gary, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Rich and I are deeply saddened by your tragic and sudden loss."
"I met Peggy exactly once at a Christmas party the Beers held for us Smithsonian staffers. The warmth of her greeting and the way she made me feel as if I were a longtime friend made an immense and instantaneous impression on me. It's something I'll never forget."
"Dear Gary, Children and Bea.I was priveleged to know and see Peggy occassionaly when she came to visit Bea. She touched my heart the day I met her, she was so full of life and laughter. Often I would see her and chat just about life, family, her move to Jamestown, the dogs and how much she loved Bea. Her generous and memorable life will live on in the hearts of many. My prayers are with your family and friends of Peggy."
"7/12/08 Dear Gary and family, I loved Peggy soo much! She was not only my favorite client, but my crew and I were all in awe of the beautiful, caring, loving, considerate, compassionate and all-around awesome person that Peggy was. She was truely a shining star and all of us who were touched by her radiant energy will have a bit of the Peggy glow within us always. I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Everyone that knew Peggy will miss her terribly. She always made you feel that you were one of her best friends. We had a wonderful adventure with her, cooking and touring France. We laughed when Peggy fell asleep at the table when she was supposed to be making bread for the morning breakfast! Mike, my daughter Erin and I have fond memories spending the day with Peggy at Smithsonion's American Indian Reasearch Center in Suitland, Maryland. Peggy also entertained our family in Georgetown, helped purchase carpet for our home,and was tour director for a trip to see Bea in Newport. All with humor and enthusiasm. I feel lucky that Peggy was a part of my life. All my love to your family, Karen Edson"
"Dear Gary Beer and Family, It was a pleasure to know and work with such a wonderful human being. As property manager for your apartment at Parc Somerset, I had an absolutely perfect business relationship with Mrs. Beer. She was extremely helpful to me and her kindness knew no bounds. The world is a better place because of her and we have suffered a great loss."
"Our sincere sympathy goes to the family. We all loved her and will miss her. We have made a donation so the Sids foundation from us and the family of Randall Barnett."
"Dear Gary, Lindsey, Alexandra, and Matthew Peggy's infectious optimism and conquer the world attitude will have an everlasting effect on me. She would be very pleased to know that i just expanded my surgery practice into a space that she felt was perfect for me. Eliot and I will deeply miss her. . .she had big plans for us. We will hold on to her spirit. My prayers are with you and your family. Monte, Lisa, Landon, and Lindsay Harris"
"Dear Gary,Lindsey,Alexandra and Matthew - My heart and love reaches out to each of you at this time. In your sorrow, remember her laughter, her tender embraces, her ever twinkling eyes and her joy in tearing down a wall."
"Alex and family, All my love and prayers during this difficult time."
"Gary, we are thinking of you and your family. May you be sustained with loving memories that carry on Peggy's spirit. We send our deepest condolences."
"Dear Gary,Lindsey,Alexandra and Matthew.Im very sorry and shocked.I'll never forget Peggy, she was like my sister.I miss her already. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Cevat Topcu"
"One can sometimes never know how far reaching was their influence on others. I'm a stranger to Peggy's extended family, having just read her obituary in the Jamestown paper. Like the Beers, my girlfriend & I had fallen under this wonderful island community's spell last year and have just bought a full-time home, which we're fixing up. I was so moved by the description of Peggy's vitality, I had to here offer the family my condolences. It's obvious that Peggy Beer would have greatly contributed to the character of Jamestown...and, apparently in more than one sense of the word "character", from the sound of it! May I promise all of you that Susan & I will think of Peggy on occasion, as we walk the trails at Beavertail or enjoy the views from East Ferry. In our thinking of her, we'll do our small part to ensure that Peggy did make it to the island. God bless you all."
"Dear Gary, Lindsey, Alexandra, and Matthew, we were fortunate to have Peggy be a part of our lives years ago in Washington. Whenever we were with her we shared laughter, and her beauty, humor and zest for life spilled over into ours. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Tara Hamilton and Jeff Fletcher"
"Dear Cousin Gary, I am sorry that I never had the chance to know Peggy. May your memories of your life together comfort you in the days ahead. My love and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time."
"My prayers are with you."
"I was so sorry to hear about your loss and send along my sincerest condolences to Gary and the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all."
"How do we move forward in this life without you my dear friend? It seems rather gray without you. I miss you so much. I miss your laugh, the phone calls, your joyful outlook on life. You could make a trip out for coffee an adventure! There is no other like Peggy Beer. To the woman everyone loved, to my friend - I wish you the very best. Love, Meg"
"Dear Gary, Lindsey, Alexandra, & Matthew My thoughts will be scattered as there are so many memories. We met when our kids were in 6th grade, and bought dogs from the same litter, and started walking.When I would tell my dog we were going to Peggys, she would take off down the street, round 2 corners, and be waiting on Peggys porch. Even the dog loved Peggy. Then there was cooking school in France-after some unusual questions by her, she had to admit she actually had a cook never one to brag. Everyday we shopped for things for her beach house, and she finally realized her dream. She was always doing something for someone else, when our son was going off to Dental School, she took him to Provo, and arranged for him to observe a surgery with her dentist. Lindsey, you really nailed it with the tribute to your mom-a memorable condensation of her life. We are so very saddened for your loss. Jack and Candy"
"I grew up with the Beers and will forever remember the kindness of Peggy as she welcomed me into her lovely homes in both SLC and and DC. I was fortunate enough to see her two weeks ago where, despite a hard year, she was in good spirits. you will be dearly missed Peggy."
"Gary and family - I did not know Peggy but my heart breaks for your loss of such a young, lively and loved individual. Please accept my deepest condolensces and know that the prayers of the Marzol family are with her and you today."
"My thoughts and prayers are with Gary and his family at this time of terrible loss. God bless you all, and may you be filled with strength and great memories during the days ahead."
"Dear Gary, Lindsey, Alexandra and Matthew, I just found out the heart breaking news of Peggy's untimely passing. I loved working with her and considered her to be the most amazing mentor and wonderful friend! I'm so very sorry, so very saddened to hear of her passing. I worked with her at Cultura on the product development but I learned so much more from her on a personal level. I will miss her wisdom, wit, and candor but most of all her BIG heart, contagious laughter, and larger than life SPIRIT! If I can ever do anything to help....something in her memory....now or in the future, please let me know. A project! For Peggy! Just what she would expect from us and nothing less. She taught me so much in just the short year I worked with her! I will truly miss her! Warm Regards~ Dawn Espinoza and Family~ Al, Aliana & Davin"
"My sympathy and thoughts are with Gary and the family. We are all thinking of you here at SBV. Regards, Dana"
"Dear Family: Sarah was in Salt Lake City when we received the news. We were so saddened to hear of this unexpected event. Sarah had just seen Alexandra and Peggy in DC. Our thoughts are with you."
"Dear Gary, We were so shocked and saddened to learn of Peggy's death. Thank you for sending an obituary to the Salt Lake paper. It was a wonderful tribute to her and I said "Yes, yes" to every sentiment. My favorite memory with Peggy was flying to New York from Salt Lake for some fancy black tie film event. Our flight was cancelled and Peggy got us booked on another airline. We were so late getting to NY we changed into our formal dresses in the NY airport bathroom and rushed to the event. She got us there ontime and we laughed all the way. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. She was one in a million. Marilee and Sterling VanWagenen"
"I only ever talked to Peggy over the phone, but it was a pleasure to have known her even from this. My deepest sympathies are with Gary and the family."