Margaret (Peggy) Oakes

Margaret (Peggy) Eleanor Allen Oakes, 85, of North East, Pa, died peacefully on January 8th, 2022, of respiratory failure.  Peggy was born on January 15th, 1936, in Erie, to John K. Allen, and Elva Fox Allen.  The family lived in Wesleyville, moving to North East in 1942.  

Peggy graduated from North East High School in 1953, and that summer was crowned Cherry Queen, of the infamous North East Cherry Festival.  Her first job was as a secretary, working at America Fore Insurance Group, in the G. Daniel Baldwin Building in Erie.  She loved working there and meeting new friends.  After years as a homemaker, eventually, Peggy worked as a Quality Control Inspector in the lab at Welch Foods for 27 years, retiring in 1998. She really enjoyed her job and made many lasting friendships across generations. 

Peggy married the love of her life and her best friend, William Kenneth “Ken” Oakes.  Ken served as an Army paratrooper and ranger during their first two years of marriage.  Ken and Peggy were married for 47 wonderful years until his death, in 2002.  She missed him every day for the rest of her life.

Peggy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her daughter Julie, her son John, her sister Ruth, and her parents.  She is survived by her son Kenneth “Kenny” Oakes (Ed Rice) of Philadelphia, her daughter Karen Henning (Dave) of North East, her daughter-in-law, Linda Oakes, of Canal Fulton, OH, her brother Bill Allen (Darlene), of North East, her beloved grandchildren, Ryan (Amee), Kyle, Katie (Josh Arnold), Jeremy, Jonathon, Joey (Lauren), Justin (Ali), and Bryce, and great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Ronin, Cooper, Avery, Emerson, and Bailey.  Many nieces and nephews survive her, whom she adored.  Further surviving her is her sister-in-law, Wanda Kitelinger, of Wattsburg, and her brother-in-law, David Oakes (Patricia), of Erie.  She is also survived by a close family friend, Ellen Miller Coulon (Rick), of Clarksville, GA, who considered Peggy her second mother, and her longtime, beautiful cat companion, Bitty.  

Everyone who met and knew Peggy loved her.  She was always ready to help someone in need.  She loved her home and was proud to have lived nearly her entire life in North East.   We will miss our amazing mother, grandma, and great-grandma.

Friends will be received at the W. Tad Bowers Funeral Home 92 S. Lake St., North East, PA on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 2 P.M. until the time of her memorial service there at 4 P.M.  Rev. Bryan Kowalczyk will officiate.

Peggy was always concerned about abused and abandoned animals.  The family would be grateful if you would consider making a donation in her name to the Erie Animal Network, 5148 Peach St. #300, Erie, PA 16509, https://www.erieanimalnetwork.com/.  To send condolences, please visit  www.bowersfuneralhome.com.                            

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