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A Celebration of life funeral service for Mrs. Margaret Ann "Peggy" De Lucia, 91, will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 30th, 2022, in the Chapel of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. The Rev. Dr. Greg Boyd will officiate with a reception following at the funeral home. Friends are invited back to the home at 318 W. College Ave., after the reception. Interment with military honors will be held in Calverton National Cemetery under the direction of A.L. Jacobsen Funeral Home of Huntington Station, NY. Peggy entered into rest on June 27th 2022, in Hartsville with her daughter by her side. Proverbs 31:26-29 describes the valuable role a mother plays in the lives of those in her family: “She opens her mouth in wisdom; kindly instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, too, praises her: ‘Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all.’” Margaret Ann "Peggy" Baker was born in New Berlin, IL (October 8, 1930) as one of six brothers and sisters and the last living Baker sibling. Peggy was raised by her maternal grandfather and grandmother until she was seven and then went back to live with her mother, Dorothy, and her father, Charles. Peggy loved all her brothers and sisters, and was especially close to her deceased brothers, Harold Baker (Rosemary), and Gene Baker. Peggy also was close to her deceased sister, Norma Baker Moffitt (Jack). Peggy loved school and walked everywhere as they lived out in the country, yet she had many activities "in town". When Peggy was 13, she joined the Methodist Church in New Berlin with her Baptist family's permission. Peggy was a life-long Methodist who quietly lived her Christian life and values. These values of love, kindness and charity were later instilled in her children, Diane, and Steve and showered quietly upon all whom she met. In 1952, Peggy joined the United States Navy and served in Intelligence in the naval base at Pensacola, FL. It was here that Mom met Salvatore J. "Sal" De Lucia, her future husband of 65 years. Peggy and Sal were married in 1956 and first came a son, Stephen (Steve) and then some years later, their daughter, Diane. While Sal worked for Grumman Aerospace (Bethpage, NY) and then later the Suffolk County Police Department (Suffolk, Long Island, NY); Peggy worked as an Executive Secretary in the Helena Rubinstein Corporation (Roslyn, NY). After eight years there, Peggy resigned to pursue the noble career of full-time parenthood and to support Sal in his career in law enforcement. Peggy and Sal bought their first and only house in 1959 in Huntington Station, New York. It was in this house that Peggy created a warm and inviting atmosphere for her family and the many guests over the years. For many years, Peggy spent time with Sal's Mom, Concetta, learning to cook the Italian way. It was quietly reported during many family gatherings that Peggy has so mastered making the "Sunday Sauce", that it was judged as good or better than Concetta's. Concetta at one-point complimented Mom on her cooking and her sauce. Peggy cooked both from her midwestern roots and her adopted Italian cuisine. Peggy's Midwest Potato Salad and her Zucchini Stew never had any leftovers! No one ever went hungry in the DeLucia house. She was an avid gardener, and in their heyday, the house on West 23rd Street was quite the floral showcase. Many a day, Peggy could be spotted sweeping the street in front of their house after she had put in a long day landscaping the property and after cleaning the house and preparing a wonderful meal for her family. Peggy was extremely industrious, and her children were always immaculate and well prepared for taking part in Life. She loved ceramics as a craft and attended classes for many years where Peggy produced many fine pieces of art that are treasured by many to this day. Also, Peggy was extremely well read and could converse on any topic. She passed this ability to understand current as well as historical events along to her children. Peggy loved historical fiction, Amish themed novels, and the Mitford Series among some of her passions. She loved animals, especially cats. The adored felines of her life were Frisky (named after the cat food), Indy (named after Indiana Jones) and Kato (from the Pink Panther)! Both Peggy and Sal were over the moon with their pets, and they were so well cared for that they each lived many years. Peggy loved her son and daughter in law's cats and looked forward to seeing them. She also adored her daughter's dogs (especially Duke and Red) and never a holiday went by without a gift for their grand pets. Peggy has many friends from her years in New York as well as her time in Hartsville, SC. If Peggy met you, you were warmly greeted and made to feel as if you were the only person in the world. Peggy always valued others above self. She always put on the coffee and brought out the delicious coffee cake that the Northerners expect and appreciate. Over many a coffee or tea, Peggy was patient and kind and always was there for her children, no matter what they were going through. Peggy hugs were the best! It is time that recognition be given to a wonderful Wife, Mom, Friend and Proud American. Peggy rarely if ever missed a chance to vote. During her time in Hartsville, Peggy made many friends and especially enjoyed her craft and picnic nights with her Nazarene friends and associates (Ginger Hess, Gaby Hollomon, Jeili Alvarez, Dani Chaplin, Caroline Hodge, Kayla Davis, Jean McDonald, Nicholle Haney, Danielle Haney, Robert Johnson, and many others!). She especially enjoyed the sweet children who visited as well. Peggy loved her golf cart rides too! Her best day was the Mother’s Day Tea at Crema Coffee Bar. Tiffany Moan Crist and Madeline Wilkes provided a blessed time of fellowship for us. Peggy's husband, Sal, passed away in November 2021. She is survived by her son, Stephen Mark (Steve) De Lucia and his wife, MaryAnn and her daughter, Diane De Lucia and her fiancé, Michael Starling. Peggy also leaves behind her grand dog, Red and her grand cats, especially, Lil Bit and Baby. Peggy also leaves behind sister-in-law, Mary Anne De Lucia Greco of Babylon, NY, and nephews Philip (Barbara) Greco (North Carolina) and Vincent Greco (who takes admirable care of his mother!). The family would like to also recognize Peggy's helpers: Stacy Miller, Terry Johnson, Tricia Stalvey and Jennifer Hess. To her house cleaning team, Charlotte Elias and Nancy White, a very special sending of love. They went above and beyond to not only clean but bring Peggy beautiful clothing and spent time loving her. Without these friends (and many others!), it would have been impossible to properly take care of Mom. A very special thank you goes to Dianne James, who received Peggy upon her arrival in South Carolina and never wavered in her care of Peggy. Thank you to the Pastoral Team in NY (Reverend Robert (Father Bob) Smith (St. Hugh of Lincoln RC) and Pastor Melanie Ollett (West Hills UMC) and in SC (Pastor Greg Boyd – First Baptist Church; Pastor Tom McCrea – Church of the Nazarene and Pastor Steven Winburn – family and funeral director). We also wish to specially thank Agape Hospice and with love and affection, we wish to thank Dr. Joseph Powell and his wonderful staff for their care and concern for Peggy. Without Dr. Powell and staff, along with the private companions and support team members, Peggy’s life would not have been the same while in Hartsville! 1 Peter 3:4: "You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

Tributes

Mrs. Margaret Ann "Peggy" De Lucia

October 8, 1930 - June 27, 2022