"As one of the many young lives Peggy touched as an in-home childcare provider, I could share so many memories - and while they are from 30+ years ago, they are still with me today. She played such a big role in my life for the 4 or 5 years that I went to her place! There were times that she would even keep me overnight while my mother worked late, and I remember her tucking me in and kissing my forehead goodnight as if I was her own. What a Godsend she was - my thoughts are with the family and community she has left behind."
In loving memory of
Margaret Litchfield
March 16, 1928 - September 26, 2022
Livestream link for Funeral Service: https://youtu.be/2mkB1ruiOdA
On September 26, 2022, Margaret Elaine Litchfield ("Peggy") passed away peacefully at Northridge Village retirement community at the age of 94 years, 6 months, and 10 days.
Margaret was born on March 16, 1928, in rural Boone County, Iowa to William Henry and Rose Marie (Doherty) Riordan.
At the age of seven, Peggy's family moved to Boone, Iowa, after the death of her father. She attended Sacred Heart School in Boone, and graduated with the class of 1945. As a young adult, she worked at Newberry's department store in Boone and was an avid roller-skater.
Her love of roller skating led her to meet the love of her life, Commodore Tunney Litchfield ("Litch") of Ames, Iowa, at the Boone roller rink in 1949. On February 9, 1950, Peggy and Litch were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone, Iowa.
Peggy worked at Collegiate Manufacturing in Ames and later became a homemaker after the arrival of their daughter Linda Michelle. Daughter Julie Ann was welcomed into the family five years later.
Peggy loved babies and children and was an in-home child care provider for many years. Many of the kids she cared for have kept in contact with her through the years.
Left to cherish Peggy's memory are her two daughters, Linda (Travis) Gregory and Julie Litchfield (Rick Taylor), both of Ames; five grandchildren, Kyle, Nate, and Jordan Morrison, Zoey Riordan (Victor Koenders), and Maria Taylor; and many extended family members and friends.
Peggy is preceded in death by her parents William and Rose Riordan, brother William Francis Riordan in 1989, sister Mary Louise (James) Mee in 2008, and husband Commodore in 2017.
A public visitation will be held on Friday, October 7, 2022, from 4-6 p.m. at Grandon Funeral & Cremation Care. Funeral services will be held at St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 10:00 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the family for a cause/charity yet to be named.
Tributes
"Through all these years I?ve held the memories close of all the visits and times together as kids between our families. Life has moved so fast but those memories with all of you still remain. Peggy was a wonderful woman and I know my mom and she will be exchanging hugs in heaven. You are all in my heart. "
"I feel very lucky to have been one of the kids that Peggy cared for. I remember a pink sweatshirt she wore that said, "I may be short (small?) but I'm still the boss!" Yes, she was! I have so many fond memories of her and my time in her care. I remember her little black poodle Fifi too. She has touched so many lives. My thoughts are with her family."
"We lived next door to Peggy back in the 90s and she took such good care of me and my friends after school. She called me every year on my birthday, with few if any exceptions, for the next thirty years. I talked to her a number of times over the past few years and she was always full of love and faith. She was an incredible woman. May she rest in peace, and may your family find comfort in the legacy she left."
"Linda, Julie, and extended family, My heartfelt sympathies to each of you on the loss of your beloved mom, Peggy. I lived as the crow flies from your folk's home. She was a good friend of neighbor, Frieda Guthrie, and would stop often on her daily walks around the entire neighborhood. That's how I initially got to know her. One night she came to our door with a petition that would allow your dad, LITCH, to do his woodworking projects until a set time at night. A neighbor or 2 were complaining so she was getting input from those of us around the 4 block square. We happily signed as your dad quit at a reasonable time. I lived in our home for 42 years moving 5 years ago so lost track of her. My husband/my good friends, Bob and Joyce Davis, often talked with fond memories of both your folks. Betty Gordon, formerly 1912 Clark, Ames"
"Peggy lovingly cared for my son Michael while I was teaching across the street at Meeker School. I couldn?t have asked for better child care than Peggy provided. "
"Peggy was, in effect, my aunt, and a very loving one at that. Gonna miss her."
"Peggy was like a 3rd Grandma for my daughter, who she watched over for many years. She was a VERY important person in our lives! "
"Dear Linda and Julie,
My sincere sympathy to you and your families on the death of your mother, Peggy. I always enjoyed our brief visits before and after weekend Mass at St. Cecilia. I was touched also by her always inquiring about my late mother particularly in her last years. While small in stature, she was tall in kindness and love. Will remember her and all of you in my prayers.
Fr. Jim Secora"
"Dear Linda and Julie,
My sincere sympathy to you and your families on the death of your mother, Peggy. I always enjoyed our brief visits before and after weekend Mass at St. Cecilia. I was touched also by her always inquiring about my late mother particularly in her last years. While small in stature, she was tall in kindness and love. Will remember her and all of you in my prayers.
Fr. Jim Secora"
"Brad and I were blessed to have Peggy for a neighbor for so long!! I was always able to get the neighborhood "happenings" from her. She was a tiny lady with a huge faith (holding her rosery every time she walked) and a huge heart. She loved her family!!! She is at peace!"