Peggy Lee Henry

Peggy Lee Henry was born November 15, 1948 in Portland, Oregon. She passed away September 22, 2021. She was 72 years old.

One of six children, Peggy grew up in Clatskanie, Oregon where she and her siblings would work on their farm. It was in this same town that she would later meet the love of her life, William E. Simmons, while bartending at a local pub. The two would become partners in love and adventure. Together they raised four kids, settled down in Port Orchard, Washington, traveled across Europe, climbed mountains, went steelhead fishing, held bluegrass parties in their backyard, grew old together, witnessed their grandchildren get married, and met many of their great-grandchildren.

Knowing Peggy, you knew she was always working on some new project or getting involved in something new to challenge herself and to help others. As a mother, she was highly invested in her children’s activities – coaching softball, leading a 4-H club, and assisting with the “Bluebirds” Camp Fire Girls program. At 40-years-old, she went back to school to get Associates Degree in Fashion and Merchandising at Olympic College. Peggy spent years working as the Director of Communications and Development at the Literacy Council in Bremerton – a non-profit whose mission was to educate adult learners on reading and writing skill – where she would later receive an ‘Unsung Hero’ award from the Kitsap Sun for her work. She’d also open and operate several businesses, including a Christmas store, a wedding flower and cake shop, among other ventures. She would frequently throw fundraiser and community events to benefit local children in need, including tea parties and Christmas events at community centers.

Among her numerous interests, Peggy loved to travel (she proudly kissed the blarney stone and loved her trips to Hawaii), playing weekly bingo with her friends, riding horses (she fondly remembered riding her horses on Seaside beach), throwing and attending tea parties, watching old John Wayne movies, listening to Elvis Presley, cooking and baking, hosting Easter Egg hunts for all the children in her life and their friends, watching Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune nightly, reading her books, and was a member of the Port Orchard Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Her partner, children, and grandchildren would all tell you that Peggy was the heart and soul of their family. She loved nothing more than to gather family and friends together – especially around the holidays. She always seemed happiest around the holidays, with everyone in the same room and Christmas music blaring from the radio. While she accomplished so much in her life, Peggy will be remembered most for her warmth, selflessness, and overwhelming kindness. Peggy was a beacon of light and strength, spreading joy and exuding love to all she came across.

Peggy is preceded in death by; Her Nephew, Fred “Freddy” Bratcher, Mother Madeline R Henry, Father John E Henry & Sister Janet (Henry) Richardson. She is survived by her partner and traveling companion William “Billy” Simmons; siblings Joanne Porter, Will Henry, Dallas Henry, Susie Marquez; her four children Jamise Romine, Patsy Bingham, Mandy Henry, and Erika Anderson; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Peggy’s final place of rest will be at Murray Hill Cemetery in Clatskanie Oregon (that she considers her “hometown”, where she can rest alongside her nephew Freddy that preceded her in death, as she fervently wanted.

With the deepest respect for the health and safety of all, the family has elected not to have a funeral service. However, a Viewing (following social distancing & mask protocols) will be held at Fir Lawn Funeral Home in Toledo, Washington where Family and Friends can pay their respects on Friday, October 1, 2021 between 10am and 12pm. A procession of family members will then travel to Clatskanie, Oregon for a private graveside burial at 1:00pm.

The family would like you to know that next to losing the “Heart of our Family” not holding a celebration gathering in her honor is an extremely difficult decision, as anyone that knew her knew she loved to host events and gather family and friends. However, in the memory of her unselfish spirit to always “put others before herself” we recognize the ethical responsibility and sincerest desire to value the health and safety of those that loved her and she them by prioritizing arrangements that are as honoring and safe as possible at this time.

Her favorite gifts were handwritten notes and flowers. We encourage those that loved her and wish to “be there” to comment on her memory page and send flowers to Fir Lawn Funeral Home in Toledo, Washington.