Margaret "Peggy" Anne Atkinson Marquette, age 96, recently of Center Valley, Lehigh County, and previously of Windsor Township, Berks County, passed away Thursday, December 24, 2020 at St. Luke's Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown.
Peggy was born in Reading, PA, on July 16, 1924, the devoted daughter of Harold and Marguerite (Smith) Atkinson. She was the widow of John B. Marquette Jr., and is also predeceased by much-loved siblings, Joan Atkinson Bowman, Richard Atkinson, Thomas Atkinson, and sister-in-law, Virginia Atkinson.
Peggy graduated from Wyomissing High School, Class of 1942, and entered nurses' training at Abington Memorial School of Nursing to graduate as a registered nurse in 1946. She patriotically served in the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II from 1943 to 1946. She was a member of Zion's Lutheran Church in Shoemakersville, Berks County.
A proud nurse, Peggy was devoted to the operating room, and through her career worked in the Community General Hospital, Reading Hospital, and most recently in St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem where she was most proud of her part in pioneering their laser surgery program. Peggy also worked as a charge nurse giving loving care to the elderly at the Valley Manor Nursing Home in Coopersburg in the 1970s, and as a nurse in a St. Luke's-based fertility clinic, post-retirement, where she was happy to help people struggling to grow their families. Along with her husband, who suffered for years with multiple sclerosis, she was an advocate for the disabled in Lehigh County.
Known among family and friends for her detailed colored pencil drawings of homes, historic buildings in the Hamburg area, and nature scenes, Peggy shared her art and love both on greeting cards and framed works. She loved music, especially classic piano pieces by Chopin and popular music from the 1940s.
Peggy is survived by her adored children, John Marquette of Bethlehem, Karen Marquette Chandler and her husband David Chandler of Kutztown, beloved grandson Timothy Schlaner, his wife Christie Schlaner, and her great grandchildren Ryan and Clara Schlaner, all of Coopersburg, Lehigh County, and beloved grandson Nicholas Chandler of Humble, Texas.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 23, 2020 at 11:00 am from Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., 223 Peach Street Leesport, PA 19533. A visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am in the funeral home. Private burial will be in Laureldale Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com
