Peggy Lorraine (Reed) Steele

She was born to the late Ernest and Lillian Reed, October 19, 1927 in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 14, Peggy left school to care for her younger siblings. In 1945, she married William Houston and had two sons, Gary and John. In 1952 she married John Steele after her sons introduced them at the Navy pool. After living in several states, they settled back in California where Peggy obtained her GED as her sons were graduating high school. She went on to obtain her A.A. degree from Mt. San Antonio College in 1973 and proceeded to work there as a librarian for the next 18 years.

Peggy enjoyed 63 years of marriage to John Steele until his passing in 2015. She is survived by her sister, Darlene Edwards, her son John Steele, her daughter Brenda Patterson, her grandchildren Nicole Kawana, Kimberly Nordeck and Noah Steele, and her great-grandchildren Rhys and Aiden Kawana, Devin and Harper Nordeck, and Carsen and Kinsley Steele.

Peggy cooked and cleaned because it was expected, but never enjoyed either one. She sometimes pondered aloud how all three of her children became pretty good cooks, and was known to biff any child who said "in self defense, Mom!"

What she did love was coffee, chocolate, the outdoors, books and her countless pets. Peggy shared her open and generous heart with many people, and many, many animals. From her first pet coatimundi her dad unexpectedly brought home one day, through a succession of cats and dogs, ducks, horses and even an opossum she named Josephine, she loved them all. She never went looking for a new friend to rescue, but when they arrived at her doorstep, none were ever turned away.

Her generous heart was apparent to everyone except herself. She worked with the Rotary Club, dressed up as Santa Claus, and jumped into the college pool to raise literacy donations. Twice she won Hawaiian vacations and gave them away to other people. Peggy claimed to have little patience and always seemed puzzled that so many people liked her. Many instinctively turned to her for help, and while she often was unsure on what to say, she had an uncanny knack for knowing whether it was a hug, a shoulder to cry on, or a hit on the head, that would make people feel better.

With the onset of dementia, Peggy's memory became fragmented, but her true personality continued to shine. She retained her kindness and sense of humor to the end, and the last words she spoke aloud were "I love you."

A graveside service for Peggy will be held Monday, December 7, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Funerariadelangelchino.com for the Steele family. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Alzheimer's Foundation, ASPCA, or your local animal rescue, would be greatly appreciated.