Lavery, Peggy Johnson
Peggy Johnson Lavery, 80, of Blacksburg, VA, died peacefully on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. She was born on a farm in Nebraska to the late Virgil L. and Irene Mullins Johnson on August 18, 1935 as one of six children.
Following her high school graduation, she worked as a secretary in Beatrice, Nebraska, but sought a life of adventure beyond her upbringing in the mid-west plains. Having scored exceptionally well on the Civil Service exam, Peggy accepted a secretarial job in the US Pentagon in the mid-1950s, and moved to Washington DC. While working at the Pentagon, she met a young soldier who was to become the love of her life and her co-adventurer. She married William E. Lavery on April 7, 1956. They were an extraordinary team, as they moved from DC to the University of Wisconsin to complete Bill’s PhD, and then to return to DC and finally settle in small-town Blacksburg, VA in 1966 (though he promised it would only be one year in rural Southwest Virginia before they would return to the city!). Living in and serving in a number of roles in Blacksburg and at Virginia Tech became her passion, along with raising her family. Peggy served as a 4-H Leader for her children’s 4-H Clubs, a den mother, PTA volunteer, Sunday School teacher and coordinator, and officer in the Virginia Tech Faculty Wives Club.
She served as Virginia Tech’s First Lady from 1975-1987, hosting thousands of events for faculty, staff, students, alumni, government officials and dignitaries from around the globe. Peggy was an outstanding cook, and selected the menus and prepared much of the food that was served at the President’s home. She was a true Hokie and her work contributed to a goal-shattering first capital campaign for the University, and the initiative to renovate and restore the President’s home on the main campus (The Grove). As a guest in her home you would be sure to have a delicious meal, a warm and gracious environment and lively conversation. Many will recall Christmas Carols around the piano, cook-outs at the lake home or sitting in the family room near a roaring fireplace that Peggy kept burning in the winter months.
Peggy returned to work full-time serving in administrative and marketing roles in senior care in the early 1990s. An avid reader and a quick study, Peggy gained a reputation for her experience and advocacy for improving the lives of senior citizens and was appointed by Governor L. Douglas Wilder to the Governor’s Advisory Board for the Aging. She retired to serve in her favorite roles: wife, mother and grandmother. She was the proud parent of four children, twelve grandchildren and three great grandchildren, though many more called her “Mom” and “Gommie.” She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege and pleasure of joining her on her life’s adventures.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 53 years, Bill Lavery, and her two sisters, Elaine and Dana. She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Debra L. and David Sensibaugh of Kingsport, TN, Lori L. and Carl Mitchell of Radford, VA, and Mary L. and Scott Fisher of Culpeper, VA; son and daughter-in-law, K. Michael and Lisa C. Lavery. Also surviving are her three brothers, Kenneth Johnson, Virgil Johnson and Garry Johnson and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins. Peggy truly lived the Virginia Tech motto, Ut Prosim, (That I May Serve), and leaves that legacy to her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Amanda Sensibaugh Cox, Ashley Sensibaugh Page, Michael Sean Lavery, Taylor Covington Lavery, Carl Andrew Mitchell, Megan Lavery Mitchell, Erin Hall Mitchell, Shannon Grace Mitchell, William Eugene Mitchell, Joseph Patrick Mitchell, Kristen Marie Fisher, Allison Leigh Fisher, Nicole Lavery Cox, David William Cox and Austin David Page.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Remi Sojka. Interment will follow at the Westview Cemetery, Blacksburg.
Flowers will be appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Peggy Lavery Gerontology Research and Professional Development Awards, (Virginia Tech University Gift Accounting, Mail code 0336, 902 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061), or to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, (1205 Old Mill Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060).
The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:30 on Friday evening, January 29 at McCoy Funeral Home (150 Country Club Drive, Blacksburg) with a 7:30 Rosary service following the visitation.