Mary Margaret "Peggy" Curphey

Peggy Curphey passed away quietly on November 5, 2024 at the Ballad Hospice House in Bristol, Tennessee. She was born to Dr. Wilfred Conklin Curphey and his wife Amelia Krug Curphey on January 2, 1934 in Kansas City, Kansas, and then grew up in the San Francisco area where she was active in various social and service organizations, including Alpha Theta Tau. Peggy attended Pine Manor College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and then transferred to College of the Pacific where she earned a B.A. in Elementary Education. While teaching first grade in Annapolis, Maryland, she met and married midshipman Jesse Heston Heald, Jr, after his graduation from the Naval Academy. She raised her two children, Kelly and Britt, in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where they lived 20 years, prior to moving to Roanoke, Virginia, where she played an integral role as Mimi to grandchildren Megan and Taylor. Peggy also worked as a bridal consultant at Leggett Department Store. In 2016, she moved to Abingdon, Virginia, to be near her family, where she enlivened every gathering of family or friends.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother William, and his wife, Julie, and her sister-in-law Alice, who was married to her brother John, who is still living in San Francisco. She is also preceded in death by grandson, Taylor. She is survived by daughter, Kelly and her husband, Paul Read; son, Britt; and granddaughter Megan Read and her husband, Zachary Katz. Many others still call her “Mimi” or “Mom.”

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers and staff at Abingdon Health and Rehab for the exceptional care they provided to Peggy.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, Abingdon, Virginia, with Pastor Elise Anderson officiating. A reception will be held in the fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to St. John Lutheran Church, 807 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210. 

The family of Peggy Curphey is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service and Crematory, 427 East Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210 (276-623-2700).